Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm met with Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Party Secretary Trần Cương in Nam Ninh on April 16, urging breakthroughs in five strategic connections to deepen Vietnam-China cooperation.
Tô Lâm highlights Guangxi’s historical role in Vietnam’s independence struggle
Tô Lâm expressed appreciation for Guangxi’s past support as a “great rear base” during Vietnam’s fight for national independence, noting it was where President Hồ Chí Minh returned to Cao Bằng 85 years ago to directly lead the revolution.
Five strategic connections proposed to boost bilateral cooperation
The Vietnamese leader called for breakthroughs in policy development, economic-trade ties, logistics infrastructure, science and technology, and social foundations, emphasizing seamless customs clearance and expanded cooperation with other Vietnamese localities.
Vietnam remains Guangxi’s top trading partner for 27 consecutive years
Guangxi Party Secretary Trần Cương confirmed Vietnam has been the region’s largest trade partner for 27 years, highlighting the importance of friendly relations and cooperation with Vietnamese localities.
Tô Lâm travels to Nam Ninh by high-speed train, praises China’s rail progress
After concluding activities in Beijing, Tô Lâm and his wife traveled to Nam Ninh by high-speed train on the morning of April 16, covering the 2,400-kilometer journey at an average speed of 350 km/h, during which Chinese rail officials reported on the nation’s expanding network.
By early 2026, China’s operational railway system reached 165,000 kilometers in total length, including about 54,000 kilometers of high-speed rail — over 70 percent of the global total — a increase from 68,700 kilometers in 2000.
China outlines rail expansion plans through 2035
China aims to complete a modern, high-quality transport network by 2035 with a total length of approximately 700,000 kilometers, of which railways will account for 200,000 kilometers, serving as the backbone to connect all prefecture-level and above administrative units, border ports, and key infrastructure zones.
Guangxi seeks increased imports of high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products
During the meeting, Guangxi expressed interest in importing more high-quality agricultural goods from Vietnam, building on decades of trade momentum and cooperation in science, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
Both sides pledge stronger border management and tourism cooperation
Tô Lâm urged close collaboration in managing land borders, timely resolution of emerging issues, and favorable conditions for people-to-people exchanges to better tap tourism potential, contributing to the success of the Vietnam-China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026-2027.
Science and technology cooperation focuses on AI, green agriculture, and clean energy
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence application, deployment of green agriculture projects, clean and renewable energy, and high-tech processing in Vietnam, aligning with broader innovation-driven development goals.
What are the five strategic connections proposed by Tô Lâm?
The five strategic connections are policy development, economic and trade cooperation, logistics infrastructure, science and technology, and social foundations, aiming to deepen integration between Vietnam and Guangxi.
How long has Vietnam been Guangxi’s largest trade partner?
Vietnam has been Guangxi’s largest trading partner for 27 consecutive years, according to information cited during the meeting in Nam Ninh.
