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China's Xi Continues His Hanoi Trip, Meeting With Vietnam Leaders

by VOA News

   Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Vietnamese leaders on the second
   day of his trip to Hanoi, following Vietnam's move to bolster relations
   with the United States and Japan.

   Xi first spoke with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman, Vuong Dinh
   Hue, before moving on to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and
   President Vo Van Thuong.

   The two sides signed several agreements, centered on "deepening
   cooperation," including working together for the development of
   railways and telecommunications.

   The leaders also agreed to a prisoner exchange, though few details were
   given about the agreement. They also agreed to renew an expired 2020
   deal, according to local media, which allows for a joint patrol of the
   Gulf of Tonkin, which is situated between China's southern island
   province of Hainan and the northeastern coast of Vietnam.

   The meetings come as Beijing seeks assurance from Vietnam it is still
   the country's most important partner, after Hanoi bolstered ties with
   the U.S. and Japan to the highest diplomatic status "comprehensive
   strategic partnership" -- a designation China has held for years.

   In a meeting Tuesday with Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary
   Nguyen Phu Trong, Xi referred to the relationship between the two
   countries as a "China-Vietnam community with a shared future of
   strategic significance."

   "Community with a shared future," is phrasing that has previously been
   rejected by Vietnam, although the rhetoric was backed in a joint
   statement following the meeting in a symbolic reassurance to China, of
   their important partnership.

   Xi is expected to wrap up his visit Wednesday by meeting with students
   before leaving Vietnam.
   Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and
   Reuters.