Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, for a state visit on Dec 12, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

HANOI – Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that he expects to have an in-depth exchange of views with Vietnamese leaders on the overarching and strategic issues critical to the direction of the relations of the two Parties and two countries.

The leaders of the two sides will also discuss international and regional issues with common concerns, according to a written speech by Xi released upon his arrival for a two-day state visit to Vietnam.

He is scheduled to hold talks respectively with Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and President Vo Van Thuong, and meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue.

READ MORE: Xi's Vietnam visit set to elevate ties

Xi, accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan, was warmly received at the airport by Pham Minh Chinh and other senior officials. 

More than 400 Vietnamese and Chinese people from all walks of life waved the flags of the two Parties and two countries to welcome the Chinese leader.

We need to maintain strategic communication and reinforce the political foundation for a China-Vietnam community with a shared future.

Xi Jinping, President, China

It is his third visit to the Southeast Asian country since he became general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese president.

In the written speech, Xi, also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China takes its relations with Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, adding that he looks forward to taking the visit as an opportunity to push bilateral relations to a new stage.

Connected by mountains and rivers, China and Vietnam enjoy a time-honored traditional friendship, which, jointly forged and cultivated by older-generation leaders of the two countries, is a precious treasure shared by the two peoples, he said.

On behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government as well as the Chinese people, he extended cordial greetings and best wishes to the brotherly CPV, the Vietnamese government and people.

Vietnam is an important country in Asia and an important member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Chinese president said in the speech, noting that under the leadership of the CPV, the Vietnamese people in recent years have actively pursued a development path suited to their national conditions and advanced transformation in all aspects, witnessing an increasing global and regional influence.

Officials greet Chinese President Xi Jinping upon his arrival in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, for a state visit, Dec 12, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

This year marks the 73rd anniversary since China and Vietnam established diplomatic ties as well as the 15th anniversary of the two countries' comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Throughout the years, the two countries have enhanced their common interests with mutually beneficial cooperation, writing together a new chapter in their modernization drive.

"We sincerely hope that our two nations will ... steadily promote the building of a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance," Xi said in a signed article published by the Nhan Dan newspaper of Vietnam.

FULL TEXT: Xi's article on Vietnam's Nhan Dan newspaper

To steadily promote the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, Xi said the two countries need to maintain strategic communication, make good use of their complementary strengths, step up friendly exchanges, and properly manage differences.

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves to people after arriving in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, for a state visit, Dec 12, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that the two sides will discuss upgrading China-Vietnam relations and work to deepen and substantiate the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries.

ALSO READ: Xi says China to keep neighborhood policy consistent, stable

The visit has fueled high expectations that Beijing and Hanoi will further elevate their relationship, boost cooperation in various sectors and strengthen their long-lasting traditional friendship.

The trip, which coincides with the 15th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Vietnam, is expected to be a new milestone in bilateral relations, Vu told Viet Nam News, the English-language newspaper of the official Vietnam News Agency.