According to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, the two countries enjoy a long-standing friendship and a deepening practical collaboration.

According to the spokeswoman, China is Vietnam’s largest trading partner, while Vietnam is Beijing’s largest trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the fourth largest in the world.

Mao stressed that in the field of connectivity, the two parties maintain a “great practical cooperation” and mentioned the construction by Chinese companies of Line 2 of the Hanoi light rail, the first of its kind in that city.

The spokeswoman informed that during President Xi’s upcoming visit to Vietnam, scheduled for the next two days, the leaders of the two countries will exchange views on deepening bilateral ties.

In fact, the visitor will hold separate talks with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong; and President Vo Van Thuong.

As part of his agenda, meetings are also scheduled with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue.

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