China, Vietnam Sign 45 Key Cooperation Agreements

Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Vietnam resulted in the signing of 45 cooperation agreements, focusing on enhancing trade, supply chains, and railway development. This visit underscores China's effort to strengthen ties in Southeast Asia amidst ongoing U.S. tariffs, which have led to a shift of Chinese manufacturing to Vietnam. Both nations expressed support for a multilateral trade system centered around the World Trade Organization and opposed unilateralism. Vietnam also showed interest in exploring a partnership with the BRICS group, signaling its intention to diversify its economic alliances. The agreements, though lacking disclosed specifics, aim to bolster economic and infrastructural collaboration between the two communist countries.