VNA reported that on the morning of October 13, 2024, at the Presidential Palace, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the official welcoming ceremony for Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who will pay an official visit to Vietnam from October 12 to 14, 2024, according to the highest protocol reserved for foreign heads of government 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 towards the 75th anniversary of establishing 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, walked up to the podium with the waving of children in the capital, holding the national flags of both countries in their hands. When the two leaders stepped up to 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 walked up 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 Office to visit a photo exhibition about the country, people, and good relations between Vietnam and China, organized by the Office of the Government 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.
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, to exchange specific measures to promote the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the Community of Shared Future, to enter a new stage of development and achieve more substantial results.
