Children of China welcomed General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President Tô Lâm at the ceremony on April 15 in Beijing. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

BEIJING — General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping and his spouse hosted an official welcome ceremony in Beijing on Wednesday morning for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee and State President Tô Lâm and his spouse who are paying a state visit to China.

The ceremony was held with the highest protocol reserved for heads of state at the Great Hall of the People, with a 21-gun salute.

Following the ceremony, the two leaders led their respective high-level delegations into talks.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee and State President Tô Lâm reviewed the Guard of Honour of the People's Liberation Army of China at the welcome ceremony on April 15. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

In recent years, Việt Nam–China relations have maintained positive momentum, with notable and comprehensive progress across multiple areas. Political trust has been strengthened, continuing to provide strategic direction for the development of bilateral ties. High-level exchanges and contacts at all levels have remained active, while cooperation in diplomacy, defence and security has recorded substantive outcomes.

Economic, trade and investment cooperation has continued to expand robustly, serving as a key pillar of bilateral relations. Việt Nam has remained China’s largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for 10 consecutive years, while China has been Việt Nam's largest trading partner for years. People-to-people exchanges, as well as cooperation in education, culture, tourism and between localities, have also flourished. Both sides have maintained effective coordination at multilateral forums.

The high-ranking delegations of Việt Nam and China at the welcome ceremony in Beijing. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping and his spouse welcome General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee and State President Tô Lâm and his spouse. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

The visit is expected to mark an important milestone in elevating strategic connectivity and setting new directions for relations between the two Parties and countries. The two leaders are set to chart new orientations and breakthroughs in cooperation across key areas, including trade, investment, tourism, supply chains, education and training, and science and technology, contributing to the realisation of each country’s development goals and aspirations. — VNA/VNS

A view of the welcome ceremony. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

Top leaders of Việt Nam and China on the ceremonial podium for the national anthems of both countries. — VNA/VNS Photo