Vietnam’s Party chief, President To Lam arrives in Beijing to begin state visit to China

Party chief To Lam, accompanied by his spouse and a high-level Vietnamese delegation, landed at Beijing Capital International Airport after a flight of more than three hours from Hanoi, starting a visit scheduled for Tuesday to Friday.

He was welcomed at the airport by Politburo member and Beijing Party Secretary Yin Li, along with Liu Haixing, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, and Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei.

Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh, embassy staff, and members of the Vietnamese community and students in China were also present to receive the delegation.

The airport was decorated with flags, and Chinese children presented flowers to Lam and his spouse as an honor guard stood along a red carpet.

The Vietnamese delegation includes nine Politburo members and senior officials from ministries and agencies, including justice, finance, industry and trade, agriculture and environment, construction, culture, science and technology, and education.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu said ahead of the visit that it takes place one year after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Vietnam in April 2025 and reflects both sides’ priority on strengthening bilateral ties.

He said the trip marks a new phase in relations as both countries enter new development stages and underscores efforts to build a more stable and substantive partnership.

During the four-day visit, Lam is expected to hold talks with Xi and meet other senior Chinese leaders, along with participating in a range of official activities.

Vietnam and China established diplomatic ties in 1950 and have since developed relations into a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.