China and Vietnam have reinforced their relationship by signing 14 agreements on August 19, 2024, during a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vietnam’s newly appointed leader To Lam in Beijing. These agreements span various sectors including cross-border rail connectivity, agricultural exports, defense cooperation and financial collaboration.
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One of the agreements involves the enhancement of cross-border railway connectivity. The signed documents include planning and feasibility studies for standardized railway routes.
The existing rail connections between southern China and Vietnam linking to Hanoi were established during the French colonial era.
These lines use a different gauge than China’s high-speed rail necessitating a change of trains at the border.
These upgrades are expected to boost trade and investment by facilitating smoother transportation of goods and people.
This is relevant as Chinese manufacturers relocate export-oriented operations to Vietnam due to trade tensions between China and the United States.
Another area of cooperation is agriculture with China pledging to increase imports of Vietnamese farm produce. Agreements were signed covering the quarantine and inspection of various agricultural products including coconuts, durians and crocodiles.
Documents were signed to foster cooperation between the central banks of both countries. This could lead to more integrated financial systems and support for trade and investment activities.
Other agreements covered media cooperation and health sector collaboration. These areas of cooperation aim to enhance cultural and informational exchanges and improve public health initiatives.
The relationship between China and Vietnam dates back to 1950, when the two countries first established relations. Over the decades their ties have evolved culminating in a strategic partnership of cooperation in 2008, which was deepened in 2013 to address more international and regional issues of mutual concern.
Both nations share a communist ideology which has served as a foundation for their relations. This shared belief system has facilitated cooperation on various fronts including political education, infrastructure, healthcare and banking, as evidenced by the 14 cooperation agreements signed during Lam’s visit.
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China is Vietnam’s largest trading partner with bilateral trade reaching $172 billion in the previous year.
During the visit China and Vietnam signed 14 cooperation agreements across various sectors including political education, infrastructure, healthcare and banking.
One of the outcomes of the visit is the focus on enhancing cross-border railway connectivity. The two nations identified three key rail projects including one connecting Lao Cai in Vietnam’s northwest to the port city of Haiphong.
These projects are efforts to integrate Vietnam more closely into China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
During their meetings both Xi Jinping and To Lam addressed the importance of political support for each other’s regimes.
Lam expressed Vietnam’s support for China’s “One China” policy and acknowledged that issues related to Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang are China’s internal affairs.
China and Vietnam have a history of disputes over territories in the South China Sea. These disputes have escalated into tensions such as the deadly riots between Vietnamese and Chinese workers in 2014. However both countries have also shown a willingness to manage these disputes through cooperation.
Vietnam’s approach to its relationship with China shows a balancing act. While ties with China, Vietnam has also sought to improve relations with other major powers including the United States and Russia.
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