On the afternoon of December 13 local time, before heading back to China after a state visit to Viet Nam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan said goodbye to General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong and his wife Ngo Thi Man.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong congratulated President Xi Jinping on the full success of his state visit. He noted President Xi’s packed and diversified schedule and the far-reaching significance of the visit. They witnessed the signing of several dozen bilateral cooperation documents and, more importantly, further enhanced mutual understanding and trust and decided to build a Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. This is of vital importance to the future of the bilateral ties. In a just concluded meeting with representatives of young Chinese and Vietnamese and people who have contributed to China-Viet Nam friendship, the two leaders encouraged them to remain true to their commitment and strive to fulfill their mission, and expressed confidence that they will carry forward the traditional friendship featuring “camaraderie plus brotherhood” between the two countries and advance the Viet Nam-China friendship.

President Xi said that right after the successful 20th CPC National Congress, he invited General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to visit China. The current state visit to Viet Nam marks a good conclusion of China’s diplomatic events this year and thus has great significance. It is a fine tradition between China and Viet Nam to have leaders of the two parties chart the course for the development of party-to-party and bilateral relations. During the visit, the two General Secretaries have jointly announced the building of a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, placing China-Viet Nam relations at a new historical starting point. This will surely take the bilateral ties to a new height.

President Xi said that the visit has been a heartwarming and touching one. He was particularly impressed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s repeated description of the profound friendship between the two countries as “camaraderie plus brotherhood”. This serves as the starting point and foundation for China-Viet Nam relations. As long as the two countries stay committed to this course, their relations are set to make new progress and bring more benefits to their people. President Xi Jinping thanked General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and his wife for the warmest hospitalities and utmost courtesy accorded to him and his wife, which will be fondly remembered. He expressed his readiness to maintain close communication with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in various and flexible ways.

Among those present were Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and Wang Xiaohong.