On the morning of October 13, at the Presidential Palace, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the official welcoming ceremony for Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang, who will officially visit Vietnam from October 12-14, according to the highest protocol reserved for heads of foreign governments visiting Vietnam.

This is the first official visit to Vietnam by Chinese Premier Li Qiang in his new position and the first visit by a Chinese Premier to Vietnam in 11 years. The visit takes place at a time of special significance for bilateral relations, as the two countries look forward to celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and right after important visits by senior leaders of both sides.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Vietnam is of great significance, continuing to develop the relationship between the two Parties and countries in depth, substance and comprehensiveness, meeting the aspirations and common interests of the people of the two countries, for peace, cooperation and development of the region and the world.

Under the cool and clear autumn sky of Hanoi, the motorcade carrying Chinese Premier Li Qiang entered the Presidential Palace. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed Premier Li Qiang in a warm and sincere atmosphere. After a firm handshake, Premier Li Qiang received a bouquet of fresh flowers from the capital's students.

The two leaders walked on the red carpet, stepped onto the podium of honor amid the waving of children in the capital, with the national flags of both countries in their hands. When the two leaders stepped onto the podium, the national anthems of both countries were played. In a solemn atmosphere, the Prime Minister of Vietnam and the Prime Minister of China stepped forward to salute the national flags of both countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh invited Prime Minister Ly Cuong to inspect the Guard of Honor of the Vietnam People's Army. The two Prime Ministers introduced members of the high-ranking delegations of the two countries attending the welcoming ceremony; and witnessed the welcoming parade of the Guard of Honor of the Vietnam People's Army.

The day after the welcoming ceremony, the two Prime Ministers moved to the Government headquarters to visit the photo exhibition on the country, people, and good relations between Vietnam and China, organized by the Government Office in coordination with the Vietnam News Agency; then the two sides held talks.

Earlier, on the afternoon of October 12, right after arriving in Hanoi, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with General Secretary and President To Lam. During the visit, Premier Li Qiang met with National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man; and attended the Vietnam-China Business Forum and a number of other important activities with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Over the past year, senior leaders of the two Parties and countries have regularly visited each other. In December 2023, General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Vietnam; in August 2024, General Secretary and President To Lam paid a state visit to China; in June 2024, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the WEF Dalian and worked in China.

China was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam on January 18, 1950. The two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2008. China has consistently been Vietnam's largest trading partner and Vietnam's second largest export market. Vietnam is China's largest trading partner in ASEAN and China's fifth largest trading partner in the world.

Total trade turnover between the two countries in 2023 reached 171.9 billion USD; in the first 8 months of 2024, it reached 130.78 billion USD, up 25% over the same period. China's investment in Vietnam in 2023 reached 4.47 billion USD with 707 projects, making it the 4th largest investor in Vietnam in terms of registered capital and the largest in terms of number of projects. Accumulated to August 2024, China invested 29 billion USD in Vietnam, ranking 6th out of 148 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with more than 4,800 projects.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Vietnam aims to implement the common understanding reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries in recent times, and to exchange specific measures to promote the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the Community of Shared Future, entering a new stage of development and achieving more substantial results.