State President of Việt Nam Lands in Beijing for Pivotal Belt and Road Forum

October 17, 2023

State President Võ Văn Thưởng of Việt Nam has landed at Beijing Capital International Airport to mark the commencement of his visit to China, where he will participate in the renowned third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF). This trip follows an invitation from Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the President of China.

The President's arrival, flanked by a high-ranking Việt Nam delegation, was warmly greeted by various Chinese officials. Among the welcoming party were the Chinese Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Construction, Ni Hong, the Chinese Ambassador to Việt Nam, Xiong Bo, and the Envoy at the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing, Ninh Thành Công. Representatives from the Vietnamese embassy in China were also present to show their support.

This journey signifies two major firsts for President Thưởng: it's both his inaugural visit to China and his premier multilateral diplomatic engagement since assuming the role of State leader of Việt Nam.

The third BRF promises to be eventful for President Thưởng. He is slated to be present at the forum's inaugural ceremony which will be presided over by Chinese leader Xi. Furthermore, he will be part of a high-profile discussion emphasizing the digital economy's potential to spearhead growth. A celebratory banquet, hosted by the Chinese President and designed to welcome delegation leaders, is also on President Thưởng's agenda.

The forum will provide an opportune backdrop for President Thưởng to convene bilateral discussions with a host of world leaders and heads of international organizations. Notable figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lao President and Party leader Thonglun Sisoulith, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and the UN's Antonio Guterres are on the list of anticipated meetings.

Additionally, interactions with China's top brass, including face-to-face meetings with President Xi and Zhao Leji, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, are in the pipeline. The State President is also set to engage with leading figures from eminent Chinese tech and telecommunication enterprises.

Upon his arrival, State President Võ Văn Thưởng took a moment to acknowledge and greet members of the Vietnamese embassy and the broader Vietnamese community in China, signifying the close ties and unity of the nation, even on foreign soil.