China’s Xi holds talks with Vietnam’s new leader in Beijing

China’s President Xi Jinping has held talks with Vietnam’s President To Lam in Beijing on his first state visit since becoming his country’s top leader, according to Chinese official media Xinhua.

The meeting between Xi and Lam on Monday signals the close ties between the two communist-run neighbours, which have well-developed economic and trade relations despite occasional strains over their competing claims in the South China Sea.

The visit comes just a month after Lam took over in Hanoi following the death of Vietnam’s longtime Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong.

China, displaying exuberance over Lam choosing China for his first official trip, said last week it “fully reflects the great importance he attaches to the development of ties between both parties and countries”.

“China has always regarded Vietnam as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy, and supports Vietnam in adhering to the Party leadership, taking the socialist path suited to its national conditions, and deepening the cause of reforms and socialist modernisation,” Xi said at the meeting.

“I believe that our road will expand wider as we walk further,” said Xi, who underscored establishing good working relations and personal friendship with Lam.

Lam described the bilateral ties as a “top priority in Vietnam’s external policy” and called his trip to China “the affirmation of the Party and the Vietnamese government to value the relation with China”.

China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, greeted Lam and his wife, Ngo Phuong Ly, when they arrived at the airport in Beijing.

Photos posted by Chinese and Vietnamese online publications later showed the couple being welcomed by Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan.

Lam arrived in China’s southern Guangzhou province on Sunday for a three-day visit that will also include meetings with Premier Li Qiang and other top Chinese officials.