HANOI: Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, is scheduled to visit Vietnam from Thursday, as confirmed by two sources familiar with the trip.
According to one of the sources, he is anticipated to participate in a Vietnam-China inter-government meeting in Hanoi on Friday. Requests for comment from Vietnam’s and China’s foreign ministries remain unanswered.
Despite a brief conflict in 1979, China has maintained robust ties with Vietnam since establishing diplomatic relations in 1950. As Vietnam’s largest trading partner, China serves as a crucial source of imports for its manufacturing sector. During Commerce Minister Wang Wentao’s recent visit to Vietnam, pledges were made to enhance access for Vietnamese agricultural products in the Chinese market, aiming to deepen trade relations between the two nations, as reported by Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Reports last month suggested preparations for a potential visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hanoi, initially planned for late October or early November. However, it was later indicated by three diplomats based in Hanoi that the visit might be postponed to December.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, bilateral trade between Vietnam and China increased by 5.5% last year, totalling $175.5 billion, with Chinese shipments accounting for 67% of the trade.
