Xi-Lam Summit to Take Place: Analysis Focuses on Energy, Cross-Border Infrastructure
Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam is set to visit China to meet President Xi Jinping. Analysts predict the summit will focus on deepening cooperation in energy and cross-border infrastructure, including 5G and railways.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 14:47
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Tseng Ting-hsuan, Hanoi, 13th) Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam will visit China tomorrow to meet leader Xi Jinping. Both countries are preparing to launch new economic development plans, making the timing particularly significant. Analysts point out that the Xi-Lam summit will deepen cooperation between the two parties and states in security strategy, as well as cross-border infrastructure such as 5G and railways. In addition, energy supply is also expected to be a key focus.
Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and State President To Lam will visit China from April 14 to 17 at the invitation of Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping for a state visit.
This is To Lam's first visit to China as the highest leader of both the party and the state, and it marks the third bilateral exchange between the highest leaders of China and Vietnam in less than two years.
The Vietnamese Communist Party just concluded its 14th National Congress in January, and the 16th National Assembly's first session was completed in April, marking the beginning of a new national leadership and economic development model. China has just launched its 15th Five-Year Economic and Social Development Plan, making the timing of the visit particularly significant.
Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu told Vietnamese media that this visit "marks a new stage in bilateral relations and opens a new chapter in bilateral relations," reflecting the firm determination of both sides to maintain "comrade-brother" relations.
Nguyen Minh Vu pointed out that through this visit, strategic relations and inter-party relations will be enhanced, and political mutual trust will be strengthened, "promoting the resolution of some outstanding differences and obstacles." He stated that "mechanisms for communication, negotiation, and cooperation on maritime issues will be regularly maintained to control and properly handle differences."
Reuters reported that the visit may involve issues such as security cooperation, telecommunications, and railway infrastructure. The Middle East war has caused energy supply shortages, and Beijing immediately restricted exports of some petroleum products. Therefore, Vietnam "may also seek more help from China on energy security, as Vietnam relies on importing petroleum products from China, including aviation fuel and some fertilizers."
Economic growth is a crucial pillar of Vietnam's policy, and China will be the most indispensable partner for Vietnam to achieve its double-digit growth target.
Vietnam News Agency pointed out that in terms of trade, in 2025, China became Vietnam's largest trading partner, and Vietnam became China's fourth largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching 256.4 billion US dollars, an increase of 24.8%.
In terms of investment, in 2025, China was Vietnam's second largest investor, with a total registered capital of 5.7 billion US dollars, an increase of 20.4%, and the largest investor in terms of new projects. In terms of tourism, China is Vietnam's largest source market for tourists, with an estimated 5.28 million Chinese tourists expected in 2025, an increase of 41.3% compared to the previous year.
Compared to past 'anti-China sentiments', cooperation between Vietnam and China in various aspects has become increasingly close and valued by both sides in recent years; even on the issue of sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea, both countries appear relatively restrained.
In 2018, Vietnam experienced large-scale demonstrations due to concerns that border economic zone development might lead to Chinese influence. Today, the two countries have signed several agreements on border standard gauge railways, smart border checkpoints, and cross-border economic cooperation zones. Through the 'economic logistics corridor', Vietnam is expected to become a bridge for Chinese goods to enter the Southeast Asian market and global shipping routes.
The first '3+3' strategic dialogue at the foreign, defense, and public security ministerial level held in March also showed further deepening of relations between the two countries.
Vietnam still emphasizes a balanced strategy in its foreign policy. To Lam's first visit abroad after becoming Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary in 2024 was to China. However, after being re-elected at the 14th National Congress of the Vietnamese Communist Party, he seemed to break tradition by choosing the United States as his first major state visit, attending President Donald Trump's 'Peace Council' opening, in addition to brief visits to Cambodia and Laos.
At the same time, Hanoi must also respond to pressure from Western partners who are concerned about Vietnam's excessive technological dependence on Beijing.
Independent media 'The Vietnamese Magazine' pointed out that there are reports that telecommunications infrastructure, especially 5G technology deployment, may also be a key topic of the Xi-Lam summit.
Vietnamese state-owned telecommunications operators have signed 5G contracts with Huawei and ZTE in recent months, raising concerns among foreign investors and security experts about data security and surveillance risks.
EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela recently warned that the participation of Chinese suppliers in Vietnam's 5G network construction could deter foreign companies from investing in Vietnam, and Hanoi will have to weigh the implications of this move. (Editor: Tien Jui-hua) 1150413
(Central News Agency reporter Tseng Ting-hsuan, Hanoi, 13th) Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam will visit China tomorrow to meet leader Xi Jinping. Both countries are preparing to launch new economic development plans, making the timing particularly significant. Analysts point out that the Xi-Lam summit will deepen cooperation between the two parties and states in security strategy, as well as cross-border infrastructure such as 5G and railways. In addition, energy supply is also expected to be a key focus.
Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and State President To Lam will visit China from April 14 to 17 at the invitation of Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping for a state visit.
This is To Lam's first visit to China as the highest leader of both the party and the state, and it marks the third bilateral exchange between the highest leaders of China and Vietnam in less than two years.
The Vietnamese Communist Party just concluded its 14th National Congress in January, and the 16th National Assembly's first session was completed in April, marking the beginning of a new national leadership and economic development model. China has just launched its 15th Five-Year Economic and Social Development Plan, making the timing of the visit particularly significant.
Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu told Vietnamese media that this visit "marks a new stage in bilateral relations and opens a new chapter in bilateral relations," reflecting the firm determination of both sides to maintain "comrade-brother" relations.
Nguyen Minh Vu pointed out that through this visit, strategic relations and inter-party relations will be enhanced, and political mutual trust will be strengthened, "promoting the resolution of some outstanding differences and obstacles." He stated that "mechanisms for communication, negotiation, and cooperation on maritime issues will be regularly maintained to control and properly handle differences."
Reuters reported that the visit may involve issues such as security cooperation, telecommunications, and railway infrastructure. The Middle East war has caused energy supply shortages, and Beijing immediately restricted exports of some petroleum products. Therefore, Vietnam "may also seek more help from China on energy security, as Vietnam relies on importing petroleum products from China, including aviation fuel and some fertilizers."
Economic growth is a crucial pillar of Vietnam's policy, and China will be the most indispensable partner for Vietnam to achieve its double-digit growth target.
Vietnam News Agency pointed out that in terms of trade, in 2025, China became Vietnam's largest trading partner, and Vietnam became China's fourth largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching 256.4 billion US dollars, an increase of 24.8%.
In terms of investment, in 2025, China was Vietnam's second largest investor, with a total registered capital of 5.7 billion US dollars, an increase of 20.4%, and the largest investor in terms of new projects. In terms of tourism, China is Vietnam's largest source market for tourists, with an estimated 5.28 million Chinese tourists expected in 2025, an increase of 41.3% compared to the previous year.
Compared to past 'anti-China sentiments', cooperation between Vietnam and China in various aspects has become increasingly close and valued by both sides in recent years; even on the issue of sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea, both countries appear relatively restrained.
In 2018, Vietnam experienced large-scale demonstrations due to concerns that border economic zone development might lead to Chinese influence. Today, the two countries have signed several agreements on border standard gauge railways, smart border checkpoints, and cross-border economic cooperation zones. Through the 'economic logistics corridor', Vietnam is expected to become a bridge for Chinese goods to enter the Southeast Asian market and global shipping routes.
The first '3+3' strategic dialogue at the foreign, defense, and public security ministerial level held in March also showed further deepening of relations between the two countries.
Vietnam still emphasizes a balanced strategy in its foreign policy. To Lam's first visit abroad after becoming Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary in 2024 was to China. However, after being re-elected at the 14th National Congress of the Vietnamese Communist Party, he seemed to break tradition by choosing the United States as his first major state visit, attending President Donald Trump's 'Peace Council' opening, in addition to brief visits to Cambodia and Laos.
At the same time, Hanoi must also respond to pressure from Western partners who are concerned about Vietnam's excessive technological dependence on Beijing.
Independent media 'The Vietnamese Magazine' pointed out that there are reports that telecommunications infrastructure, especially 5G technology deployment, may also be a key topic of the Xi-Lam summit.
Vietnamese state-owned telecommunications operators have signed 5G contracts with Huawei and ZTE in recent months, raising concerns among foreign investors and security experts about data security and surveillance risks.
EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela recently warned that the participation of Chinese suppliers in Vietnam's 5G network construction could deter foreign companies from investing in Vietnam, and Hanoi will have to weigh the implications of this move. (Editor: Tien Jui-hua) 1150413