CHINA’S President Xi Jinping called to prioritise infrastructure connectivity with Vietnam, alongside co-operation on emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors, during a meeting Wednesday with Vietnam’s newly elected president.

Vietnamese President To Lam’s four-day trip to China, which began on Tuesday, is his first overseas trip since he was elected last week, signalling his foreign policy priorities and stronger ties between the two Communist nations.

“Your visit to China at the earliest opportunity after being elected president of Vietnam demonstrates the great importance you have attached to the development of China-Vietnam relations,” Mr Xi said during their talks on Wednesday, adding that China has always regarded Vietnam as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy. 

Chinese broadcaster CCTV reported that President Xi said defending the socialist system and the Communist Party’s ruling position is the greatest common strategic interest between the two parties during their meeting.

He also urged both sides to firmly uphold confidence in their paths and systems and persist in reform without changing direction, the report said.

President Lam said Vietnam would regard developing relations with China as its objective need, strategic choice and top priority. 

China is willing to enhance co-operation in areas such as trade, investment, railways and other infrastructure, CCTV reported.

Both leaders attended a signing ceremony of agreements covering areas ranging from inter-party exchanges and public security, to technology and people’s livelihoods, according to the Xinhua news agency.

The two leaders also jointly met more than 300 youth representatives taking part in Red Study Tours, a programme that allows young people to explore the shared revolutionary history of the two nations.

Mr Xi said deepening the friendship between China and Vietnam lies with the youth. He said he was confident the younger generation would carry forward “the legacy of bilateral friendship.”