Detailed joint statements adopted between China and Vietnam

Friends of Socialist China, April 26, 2025 ─ 

As a key part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent regional tour, detailed and comprehensive joint statements were adopted between China and all three countries visited by the Chinese leader, namely Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia.

The joint statement with Vietnam took as its key theme, continuing to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promoting the building of a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

The two sides held that Vietnam and China are geographically adjacent, culturally close, and have close people-to-people ties, similar regimes, and interrelated destinies. They are good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, and good partners. They are both socialist countries led by the Communist Parties, and both strive for the happiness of the people and the prosperity of their country, as well as for the noble cause of peace and progress of humanity. The two sides looked back at the development of the relationship between the two Parties and countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations 75 years ago. Vietnam was the first country in Southeast Asia to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, while China was the first country in the world to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. No matter how the world situation changes, the two sides have always fought side by side, supported each other in the struggles for national independence and liberation, learned from each other, and together moved forward to seek a socialist path suitable to the situation of each country and modernisation bearing the characteristics of each country. The Party, State and people of Vietnam always appreciate and cherish the strong support of the Party, State and people of China. The two sides shared the view that the traditional friendship – “the profound Vietnam-China relationship, both comrades and brothers” – built and nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, Chairman Mao Zedong and leaders of previous generations, is increasingly strong. It is a valuable asset shared by two countries’ people, and needs to be well inherited, protected and promoted.

Given the changes of the world, the times, and history, China emphasised that it consistently pursues the policy of friendship with Vietnam, always considering Vietnam a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy. Vietnam reaffirmed that it always considers relations with China a consistent policy, an objective requirement, and a top priority in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification. This is the strategic choice of both sides.

They will take the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations as an opportunity to continue to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides with higher quality, deepen strategic coordination, bring more practical benefits to the people of the two countries, make important contributions to the stable development of the region and the cause of peace and progress of humanity, and create a positive model for building a community with a shared future of humanity.

The Vietnamese side wished and believed that, under the steadfast leadership of the Communist Party of China Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core, and the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Party, Government and people of China will certainly complete the goals and tasks of the 14th five-year plan with high quality, comprehensively build a modern socialist power, and successfully realise the second centenary goal.

The Chinese side wished and believed that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee headed by General Secretary To Lam, the Party, State and people of Vietnam will certainly successfully implement the goals and tasks set by the 13th National Party Congress, prepare well and successfully organise the 14th National Party Congress in 2026, bring the country into a new era of development, successfully build a socialist Vietnam with rich people, strong country, democracy, equality and civilisation. China reaffirmed its support for Vietnam’s efforts for prosperous development, the happiness of its people, a strong, independent, and self-reliant economy, comprehensive promotion of reform, industrialisation, modernisation, international integration, the expansion of its foreign relations, and its enhanced role for peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the region and the world.

Both sides also agreed to continue to fully promote the special role of the Party channel, further strengthen the role of the exchange and cooperation mechanism between the two Parties, especially high-level meetings and theoretical seminars between the two Parties; improve the effectiveness of exchange and cooperation between the respective agencies of the two Parties at the central level, as well as between local party organisations of the two countries, especially the border provinces (regions). Through theoretical seminars, and cooperation in personnel training, and delegation exchanges via the Party channel, both sides will comprehensively implement exchanges of theory and practical experiences in Party building and national governance, and work together to deepen mutual understanding of the Party’s leadership role, advance the socialist cause in the context of unprecedented changes in the world, thus contributing to Party building and the development of socialism in both countries.

This year marks the 80th founding anniversary of the United Nations. The two sides reaffirmed the perseverance to defend the international system with the United Nations as its core, the international order with international law as its foundation, and the adherence to the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” and the basic norms of international relations with the purpose and principles of the United Nations Charter as the cornerstone. Vietnam congratulated China on the successful commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the proclamation of the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence”. Facing the uncertainty, instability and unpredictability of the international situation, the two sides will firmly uphold multilateralism, jointly safeguard international fairness and justice and the common interests of developing countries; maintain solidarity and cooperation in the international community, promote the common values of humanity on peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom; support an equal and orderly multipolar world and the globalisation of inclusive economy, bringing about common benefits and developing global governance in a more equitable and reasonable direction. The two sides emphasised the joint opposition to hegemony and power politics, to unilateralism in all forms, and to actions that jeopardise regional peace and stability.

They agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation within the framework of multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and supporting each other in running for positions in international organisations. Vietnam highly values the important role of the BRICS in promoting solidarity and cooperation among emerging economies, is ready for discussion about becoming a partner country of BRICS and is willing to strengthen cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

The two sides held that ensuring and protecting human rights is a common cause of humanity, which must be based on each country’s specific circumstance, thus seeking a path to develop human rights in line with the needs of its people. The two sides expressed the readiness to engage in exchanges and cooperation on human rights on the basis of equality and mutual respect, strengthen international dialogue and cooperation in the field of human rights, jointly promote the healthy development of a global human rights agenda, and resolutely oppose the “politicisation”, “instrumentalisation”, and double standards on human rights issues, as well as the abuse of human rights as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign nations.

The two sides held sincere and candid discussions on sea-related issues, emphasising the need for better management and active resolution of sea-related differences, and for joint maintenance of peace and stability in the East Sea/South China Sea. The two sides agreed to abide by the important common perceptions reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and the two countries; persist in friendly consultations to actively seek fundamental and long-term solutions that are acceptable to both sides and accord with the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Vietnam and China, and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The two sides pledged not to take any actions that may complicate the situation or expand disputes, and to work together to maintain stability at sea. They also agreed on stepping up negotiations for the delimitation of sea areas beyond the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin, and for the cooperation for mutual development at sea to soon achieve substantive progress; actively implementing cooperation in less sensitive areas at sea; and strengthening cooperation in maritime search and rescue.

 The two sides pledged to push ahead with the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and, through consultation and consensus, to soon reach a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea/South China Sea (COC) that is in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

During the visit, the two sides signed cooperation documents in road and railway connectivity, customs inspection and quarantine, trade in agricultural products, national defence, science and technology, culture, sports, education, social welfare, human resources, media, and locality-to-locality cooperation. [The joint statement also details numerous areas of practical bilateral cooperation.]

Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping expressed his sincere thanks to Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and other leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State, and the people of Vietnam for their warm, respectful, and friendly reception; and cordially invited Party General Secretary To Lam and State President Luong Cuong to visit China at an early date. Party General Secretary To Lam and State President Luong Cuong thanked and gladly accepted the invitation.