China's top leader begins State visit to Vietnam

This is the first trip to Vietnam made by the highest-ranking Chinese Party and State leader in nine years. It is significant to Vietnam-China relations and Vietnam's external relations. Through the visit, Vietnam aims to continue to confirm its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralism and diversification, as well as its determination to develop its ties with China on the basis of mutual respect, mutual benefits and equality. It will also protect its legitimate interests in the East Sea on the basis of international law and work with China to control disputes, and maintain peace and stability in the sea. This year the countries have organised activities to celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Connections between their ministries, sectors and localities have been strengthened, while people-to-people exchanges have been held regularly. The bilateral economic, trade and investment relations have also grown significantly. Trade reached 49 billion USD in the first nine months of 2015, a year-on-year rise of 16 percent. Of this, 12.4 billion USD came from Vietnam's exports. Total investment of over 8.4 billion USD in 1,180 projects made China the ninth largest foreign investor in Vietnam at the end of last year. China remained the country to send the most tourists to Vietnam, with 12.6 million visiting between January and September.

(Source: VNA)