Vietnamese experts, people hail Chinese president’s visit

But China has been accused of seeking to advance its sovereignty claims with its land reclamation programme and tensions have been rising in the South China Sea. This year, Sino-Vietnamese trade is estimated to reach $90 billion, increasing to $100 billion in 2016, according to Chinese media.

People-to-people exchange, especially between youths, intellectuals and border residents, has been promoted, he said.

The protesters were seen carrying banners that read, “Xi Jinping, give back the Spratlys and Paracels to Vietnam!” or “the Spratlys and Paracels belong to Vietnam”.

“It’s not only a challenge for Mr Xi himself, but also a challenge for Vietnamese leaders”.

The visit to the port, which is close to the disputed waters of the Spratly Islands where China is building bases on reclaimed islands, may further irritate China after a recent USA naval patrol close to the man-made outcrops prompted Chinese protests.

Vietnam agreed to build a ” truly trustworthy” relationship with China during a visit to Hanoi by Chinese President Xi Jinping, but at the same time invited Beijing’s old rival Japan for joint military exercises and a visit to a sought-after port. China has been Vietnam’s biggest trade partner for the past 11 years.

Although steadfast allies during the Vietnam War, the relationship between China and Vietnam since then has grown increasingly complicated.

Observers say the address shows the importance that Vietnam attaches to its ties with the giant northern neighbor, and its willingness to fix the relations that have soured over the maritime disputes. It sets the tone for stable and healthy development of bilateral relations.

Xi, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi on Thursday and attended a formal welcoming ceremony with a 21-gun salute shortly after landing. Both nations have announced that aside from economic issues, territorial disputes will also be under discussion. “And the United States has begun to more actively support Vietnam in this pursuit”, said Nguyen. “The Vietnamese seek good ties with the U.S., Japan, ASEAN, India, Australia, and Russian Federation, as well as China”. Xi’s gesture was returned by Hanoi, which pledged to be “good neighbours” with China, and agreed to maintain peace in the South China Sea.

The visit expands pragmatic cooperation between China and Vietnam, China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to steer the China-Vietnam community of destiny to a new level.

Nevertheless, given the frequent high-level contacts, as well as deep historical and political ties between the two countries, MERICS analyst Rudolf believes an escalation of the dispute seems unlikely at this point.