Chinese President Xi visits Vietnam to strengthen ties, boost influence in region amid geopolitical rivalry

Mr Xi is expected to push for the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, which involves bringing Hanoi closer to Beijing’s orbit.

“The last visit by Xi Jinping was (in) 2017, and he actually suggested that. But Vietnam disagreed,” said Emeritus Professor Carlyle Thayer of the University of New South Wales Canberra.

“But China is pushing for common destiny, common security, (and) common development. This is the platform and programme of China’s new world order, in which the US would just be relegated to being one of the players.”

TRADE, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC TIES ON THE AGENDA

The talks in Hanoi will also touch on trade, infrastructure and economic ties.

Hanoi hopes to attract more Chinese investment and tourists, and increase its agricultural exports across the border.

While the territorial dispute in the South China Sea will also be high on the agenda, some observers do not expect much progress on this front.