Visit can help raise neighbors' ties to new high: China Daily editorial

President Xi Jinping's visit to Vietnam from Tuesday to Wednesday is expected to further promote mutually beneficial cooperation between the two neighbors and strengthen the bond between them as they seek to cultivate and build on their traditional friendship of "comrades and brothers".

Despite the United States' attempts to drive a wedge between the two countries, under the strategic guidance of their respective leaders, China and Vietnam are not only cherishing their traditional friendship but seeking to raise their relations to new heights.

In doing so, they can help promote regional peace and stability, which are threatened by the disruptive attentions of the US and some of its allies. President Xi has repeatedly stressed the importance of not allowing any country to interfere with the cause of regional unity and pursuit of shared prosperity, and of not letting any force have a chance to sow discord in the region and sabotage the peace and stability that is essential for the region's continued dynamism.

The development causes of both countries have entered a critical stage, and both countries are striving to achieve their respective modernization goals. By helping each other explore their respective modernization paths, they can continue to consolidate mutual trust and work together to share their development dividends.

By continuously deepening their economic, trade, investment and infrastructure construction cooperation, the two countries have reaped mutual benefits. China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner for many consecutive years, and Vietnam is China's largest trading partner among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. In 2022, the bilateral trade volume was $234.92 billion.

There is great potential to be tapped by promoting connectivity between the two countries, and giving full play to their geographical proximity and complementary industrial advantages to jointly establish a stable and resilient production and supply chain system. It is anticipated that President Xi's visit will help to further strengthen the alignment between the two countries' development projects, strategies and initiatives.

The traditional friendship between the two countries has withstood the tests of history and the vicissitudes of the present day, providing inexhaustible impetus for the development of bilateral relations. The increasingly active and close exchanges between the two peoples have continuously strengthened the bonds of friendship, laying a solid foundation for the development of closer bilateral ties.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership, and the two neighbors are poised to open a new chapter in their relations.