China, Vietnam Sign Dozens of Cooperation Deals During Xi Jinping's Visit to Hanoi
Reporter
April 15, 2025 | 01:51 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - China and Vietnam signed dozens of cooperation agreements on Monday to strengthen the relationship between the two communist-led countries. According to Channel News Asia, these agreements were made during President Xi Jinping's visit to Hanoi.
Xi, who previously warned that protectionism "leads nowhere" and that trade wars "produce no winners," was welcomed in Hanoi with 21 cannon salutes, honor guards, and children waving flags at the presidential palace.
Both neighboring countries signed about 40 cooperation agreements, including trade and aviation, as they continue to strengthen regional trade relations.
President Xi's visit to Vietnam occurred nearly two weeks after the U.S. imposed a 46 percent tariff on Vietnamese goods as part of the global trade war. Despite the reciprocal tariffs being halted, China is still facing significant levies and is seeking to strengthen regional trade ties during Xi's first overseas trip this year.
Xi, in his meeting with Vietnam's officials, emphasized the need to maintain multilateral trade systems, stable global supply chains, and an open international environment. He also reiterated China's stance that trade and tariff wars produce no winners, and protectionism leads to no results.
Vietnam, the largest buyer of Chinese goods in Southeast Asia in 2024, with a value of US$161.9 billion, had been seeking to balance the impact of the closed U.S. market, the largest receiver of Chinese goods last year.
Xi's trip to Vietnam, the first since December 2023, holds strategic importance for the wider region, according to Beijing. It is part of China's effort to present itself as a stable alternative against the unpredictable US policies.
After Vietnam, President Xi will visit Malaysia from Tuesday, April 15 to Thursday, April 17, 2025. The Malaysian Communications Minister, Fahmi Fadzil, said that Xi's visit is part of their government's efforts to improve trade relations with various countries, including China.
Xi will then travel to Cambodia on Thursday, April 17, 2025, a close ally of China in Southeast Asia where Beijing has expanded its influence in recent years.
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