Leaders of China and Vietnam pledge to strengthen political and economic ties

BEIJING (AP) — The leaders of China and Vietnam pledged to further their economic ties and gave a nod to their shared communist ideology during the first visit by Vietnam’s new president to Beijing on Monday.

To Lam, who took office in May, made China the destination of his first state visit, signaling the continuing importance the Southeast Asian nation places on its giant neighbor despite ongoing territorial frictions in the South China Sea.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Li Yuan, hosted a ceremony for Lam and his wife, Ngo Phuong Ly, at Beijing’s vast Great Hall of the People, replete with flags, flowers and a marching band.

Xi remarked on the “deep friendship” between Vietnam and China and said Vietnam was a priority for Beijing’s “neighborhood diplomacy.”

“As two ruling Communist parties in the world today, the two parties of China and Vietnam should … continue their traditional friendship … and jointly promote the development of the world’s socialist cause,” Xi said. “I believe that our road will expand wider as we walk further.”

Lam’s three-day visit to China comes about two weeks after he was confirmed as general secretary of Vietnam’s Communist Party, the country’s top political position. He succeeded Nguyen Phu Trong, who died last month after 13 years as leader.

Lam told Xi the relationship with China was the top priority of Vietnam’s foreign policy.

“As a brother, we always observe every step of China’s development, and we are happy for the achievement that the party and the government and the people of China have made under your leadership,” Lam said in his opening remarks before meeting with Xi.

The two leaders oversaw the signing of 14 cooperation agreements in areas such as political