Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi on Thursday, kicking off a two-day state visit to the neighboring country.[Special coverage]
It is Xi's first visit to Vietnam as China'a head of state and top leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Xi's plane touched down at Noi Bai International Airport at about 11:50 a.m. local time (0450 GMT).
Xi, together with his wife Peng Liyuan and other delegation members, were greeted by Dinh The Huynh, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).
"I hope my visit could help cement our traditional friendship, outline future development of our relations, and lift China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level," the president said in a written statement upon arrival.
China attaches great importance to its traditional friendship with Vietnam and views bilateral ties from a strategic height and long-term perspective, said Xi.
He lauded the smooth development of bilateral ties since the two countries forged diplomatic relations 65 years ago, saying their deepened partnership has brought tangible interests for the two peoples and made important contribution to regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Xi recalled the April visit to China by Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the CPV Central Committee, saying the consensus reached between the two sides is now being implemented and the bilateral relationship is moving forward to the building of China-Vietnam community of common destiny.
Xi said he is looking forward to having in-depth exchanges of view with Trong, Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and other Vietnamese leaders on the relations between the two parties and the two countries, as well as on international and regional issues of common concern.
Xi also said he hopes to have an extensive contact with Vietnamese people during his visit.
During the two-day visit, Xi will meet separately with Trong, Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.
He will also address the Vietnamese parliament on how to further promote China-Vietnam relations.
China and Vietnam are expected to sign a host of agreements on areas such as party-to-party cooperation, infrastructure, economy, trade, investment, culture and education.
"Despite the short time span of the visit, the achievements are expected to be fruitful," Li Jun, a senior official of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, said at a news briefing regarding Xi's visit earlier.
Xi's visit comes at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Bui Hong Phuc, vice president of Vietnam-China Friendship Association, deemed Xi's visit "the highest level visit to Vietnam by a Chinese leader" within 10 years, saying it is a great event in bilateral relations.
"I hope the visit will bring important outcomes, carrying joy for the two peoples," Phuc told Xinhua.
Relations between China and Vietnam sank to a low point last year due to disputes over the South China Sea, but the two sides have seen warmer ties with frequent high-level contacts this year.
Xi's trip is also reciprocal for previous visits to China by Trong and Sang.
Highlighting the shared interests between the two socialist countries led by communist parties, the leaders of both sides have agreed to bear in mind the overall situation of China-Vietnam friendship and seek common ground while shelving differences, so as to ensure that the bilateral relationship will develop on a right track.
China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years, while Vietnam is now the second biggest ASEAN trading partner of China. The two countries have also witnessed enhanced people-to-people exchanges in recent years.
"President Xi is expected to draw up a blueprint together with Vietnamese leaders for the development of China-Vietnam ties in the new era from a strategic and long-term perspective," Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Hong Xiaoyong said.
Vietnam is the first leg of Xi's two-nation Asia tour, which will also take him to Singapore on Friday.
