A new rapprochement between China and Vietnam, Beijing has promised aid in trade and railways
During today's visit to Vietnam, Chinese Premier Li Qiang promised to help develop the railway and expand the import of agricultural products from his neighbor.
China will thus open up the market for high-quality fruits, seafood and other Vietnamese products, according to Vietnam's state media.
China is Vietnam's largest trading partner and second largest export market after US trade between the two countries will reach $172 billion in 2023.
Vietnam's leader, President Tho Lam who was elected in May, has stressed the importance of developing relations with Beijing.
Chinese Premier Li came to Vietnam from neighboring Laos, where he did not respond to demands made at a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders that Beijing begin to respect international law in territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told Southeast Asian leaders gathered in Laos last week that the US is concerned about China's "increasingly dangerous and illegal" activities in the South China Sea.