CHINA and Vietnam signed a flurry of agreements today during new Vietnamese leader To Lam’s visit to Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said as leaders of two of the world’s only ruling Communist Parties, the pair shared a responsibility to “jointly promote the development of the world’s socialist cause.”

Though the neighbours have sometimes clashed over competing claims in the South China Sea, Lam affirmed that Vietnam would have no part in US-led attempts to divide China, reiterating support for the one-China policy, which recognises Taiwan as part of China, and saying the handling of issues in Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet are an internal Chinese matter.

Joint projects include standardisation of new rail tracks, so high-speed trains can carry people and goods across both countries. Currently Vietnam’s mainly French-built rail is of a different gauge to China’s, meaning trains have to be changed at the border.

Protocols were also signed to increase Vietnamese exports of durian fruit, coconuts and farmed crocodile products.