On the afternoon of April 14, at the Party Central Committee headquarters, after high-level talks, General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping witnessed the display of cooperation documents between the two countries.
General Secretary To Lam met with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping
Before the official talks, General Secretary To Lam had a small meeting with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping in the form of a tea party.
Two General Secretaries arrive at the Party Central Committee headquarters
General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping arrived at the Party Central Committee headquarters to prepare for talks.
After the welcoming ceremony, General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping took a group photo in front of the Presidential Palace, then walked to the headquarters of the Party Central Committee Office to begin talks.
The two leaders waved to people standing outside the Presidential Palace as they walked.
General Secretary To Lam presided over the welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping.
The welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping was solemnly held with the highest protocol reserved for heads of state, chaired by General Secretary To Lam.
After the flag-raising ceremony, the two leaders witnessed the Vietnam People's Army Honor Guard marching past the stage. The honor guards shouted in unison, "Wishing the General Secretary and President good health!" before the parade.
General Secretary To Lam shakes hands with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping before the welcoming ceremony. Photo: VNA
A 21-gun salute rang out at Thang Long Imperial Citadel as General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President Xi Jinping saluted the flag. This is the most solemn ceremony to welcome a head of state.
The Vietnam People's Army Honor Guard takes position.
Soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army's honor guard enter their positions, preparing for the welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping. Photo:Giang Huy
Many people gathered outside the Presidential Palace
People dressed in formal attire, holding Vietnamese and Chinese flags, waited outside the Presidential Palace before the welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping.
View of the Presidential Palace before the welcoming ceremony
General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping arrived at Noi Bai airport this afternoon, beginning his state visit to Vietnam from April 14-15. The welcoming ceremony will take place this afternoon at the Presidential Palace, chaired by General Secretary To Lam.
President Luong Cuong went to the airport to welcome Mr. Xi Jinping this afternoon. Also attending the welcoming ceremony at the airport were Permanent Secretary of the Party Central Committee Tran Cam Tu; Chief of the Party Central Committee Office Le Hoai Trung; Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu; and Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh.
The Chinese delegation included Mr. Cai Qi, member of the Politburo Standing Committee, Secretary of the Secretariat, and Director of the Central Office; Mr. Wang Yi, member of the Politburo, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Wang Xiaohong, Secretary of the Secretariat, State Councilor, and Minister of Public Security, along with other senior officials of this country.
This is Mr. Xi Jinping's fourth state visit to Vietnam as General Secretary and President of China, taking place less than a year after General Secretary To Lam's state visit to China.
The two leaders are expected to discuss major measures, directions, and orientations to promote bilateral relations in various fields. General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping will also participate in a number of other important foreign affairs activities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that this is an important foreign political event of the two Parties and two countries, with strategic significance and long-term impact on the development of Vietnam-China relations in the context that the two countries are entering a new era, a new era of development, expressing his belief that the visit of the Chinese General Secretary and President will be a great success and become a "new milestone" in the relationship between the two countries.
Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh said Vietnam will give the Chinese General Secretary and President "a special reception during his state visit".