New Delhi: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday arrived in Vietnam amid rising tensions in the disputed South China Sea. Xi To pacify the Southeast Asian country, Xi Jinping struck a reconciliatory tone, saying that both Beijing and Hanoi should find “mutually acceptable solutions” to resolve the differences.
Xi, aged 70, arrived in Hanoi for a two-day visit, marking his first in six years. He is visiting the country to hold intense round talks with fellow Communist leaders to woo them with a host of new deals, including a new rail project, reported PTI.
This visit takes place against the backdrop of Vietnam's growing prominence in global markets and its deepening strategic connections with the United States.
According to the report, Vietnam is currently attracting substantial foreign investments as several multinational companies moved supply chains from China over apprehensions of security-related issues.
After landing in Hanoi, Xi held talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, besides President Vo Van Thuong, and also met Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Xi called for Beijing and Hanoi to find “mutually acceptable solutions” to their South China Sea dispute and achieve long-term regional stability.
China and Vietnam have “camaraderie plus brotherhood” and should “always keep in mind our shared visions and missions”, Xi was quoted as saying in an article published in Hanoi mouthpiece Nhan Dan, reported PTI.
“Both sides need to act on the common understandings reached by the leaders of our two parties and countries, properly manage differences on maritime issues, and jointly look for mutually acceptable solutions,” Xi said.
As per PTI, Xi's Vietnam visit assumed significance as it coincided with increasing tensions between China and the Philippines, with several confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in recent days.
Vietnam, The Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have counterclaims over the South China Sea.
On his first visit to the fellow Communist country after six years, Xi also wants to shore up ties as Hanoi buried the hatchet of the liberation war and moved closer to the US amid its festering dispute with Beijing, reported PTI.
Xi's trip to Vietnam comes after a rare visit by US President Joe Biden to Hanoi in September during which both the countries agreed to upgrade their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Vietnam establishing close ties with the US has become a major concern for Beijing. Vietnam has also established close security and political ties with India.