China and Vietnam recorded substantive cooperation across a wide range of fields in 2025, with the outcomes of bilateral cooperation and development widely seen as achievements both sides should continue to advance.

Professor Zhu Chenming, honorary director of the South Asia–Southeast Asia Research Institute under the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, made the remarks in Beijing while speaking to the press about developments in 2025, which marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations and the “Vietnam-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges.”

He stated that bilateral ties progressed smoothly throughout the year and continued to advance to a higher level, particularly as senior leaders of both sides conducted reciprocal visits and set out strategic directions for the development of Vietnam-China relations. As a result, cooperation across multiple fields yielded new, substantive outcomes in 2025.

Politically, high-level exchanges between the two sides remained frequent, a particularly notable feature of the relationship, he said. In terms of people-to-people exchanges, the number of Vietnamese tourists visiting China and Chinese tourists traveling to Vietnam continued to rise, a positive sign that helps intensify mutual visits and deepen understanding between the two peoples.

On the economic and trade front, Chinese investment in Vietnam expanded steadily across multiple sectors, with China continuing to be Vietnam’s largest trading partner.

In defence exchanges and cooperation, in addition to existing cooperation between forces such as the coast guards and navies, the two sides this year organized joint ground force training for the first time.

Zhu also highlighted the strong momentum in cooperation between localities of the two countries. Mechanisms for regular exchanges and meetings between Party secretaries of Yunnan and Guangxi and northern provinces of Vietnam have been maintained, helping boost cooperation in economic development, culture, tourism and transport infrastructure investment. These efforts have contributed positively to trade and economic ties at the local level and to the overall advancement of Vietnam-China relations.

Under the guidance of the senior leadership of the two Parties and the two countries, China and Vietnam achieved practical cooperation across many fields in 2025, with the outcomes of bilateral cooperation and development a source of pride that should continue to be advanced, Zhu said.

Looking ahead, he assessed that there remains broad room for cooperation between the two sides. Senior leaders of both countries have signed a Joint Statement setting out cooperation priorities and directions for bilateral ties in the coming period.

Effective coordination and implementation will therefore be essential, particularly in the areas of politics, economics, culture and tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

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