The relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) is a crucial element of Sino-Vietnamese relations, playing a leading political and strategic role, according to Professor Pan Jin’e, a senior researcher at the Institute of Marxism at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).
This assessment comes as both nations continue to deepen economic ties and navigate a complex geopolitical landscape. The strengthening of party-to-party diplomacy is emerging as a key feature of the bilateral relationship, complementing traditional state-to-state interactions.
Professor Pan highlighted that the political report of the 13th Central Committee of the CPV, presented at the 14th National Congress of the CPV, identifies inter-party relations as one of the fundamental pillars of Vietnamese diplomacy. This strategic orientation aligns with the country’s policy of independence, autonomy, and multilateral cooperation, while simultaneously bolstering its strategic autonomy during the 14th term of the Party, particularly through the establishment of a three-tiered framework for inter-party cooperation.
Building on the outcomes of the 14th National Congress of the Party and the concrete progress made over the past two years in constructing the strategically significant Vietnam-China community of shared future, Professor Pan stated that relations between the two parties should maintain their momentum and continue to play a driving role.
Future inter-party exchanges, she suggests, should move beyond theoretical understanding towards mutual learning in terms of governance experience. The objective of bilateral relations, she posits, is evolving from maintaining a common ideology to developing strategic cooperation.
The diplomatic orientation defined by the 14th National Congress of the Party is perfectly in line with efforts to deepen Sino-Vietnamese relations, Professor Pan emphasized. As neighboring socialist countries, Vietnam and China are working to consolidate the China-Vietnam community of shared future in a more concrete and in-depth manner. This demonstrates not only Vietnam’s commitment to multilateralism and the diversification of its foreign policy but also contributes to strengthening its influence in regional and global governance through bilateral cooperation.
Professor Xu Liping, director of the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at the Institute of World Studies and Asia-Pacific Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), added that Sino-Vietnamese relations have never been better since the establishment of diplomatic relations. He noted the increasing frequency of high-level exchanges, including a visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Vietnam in October 2024 – his first since assuming office and the first by a Chinese Premier in eleven years.
Professor Xu stressed the need for both parties to strengthen their exchanges to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level and make the China-Vietnam community of shared future more substantial and effective. He outlined several priorities, including intensifying diplomacy at the highest level and maintaining reciprocal visits between the general secretaries of the two parties.
He also proposed deepening cooperation in training and capacity building for party members and cadres to consolidate their skills, integrity, and leadership effectiveness. He suggested promoting exchanges on revolutionary traditions, particularly through the organization of systematic study tours for young party members to the historical revolutionary sites of both countries.
The emphasis on party-to-party diplomacy reflects a broader trend in the relationship. In August 2024, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President, held talks with To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Vietnamese President, where the two leaders formulated a strategic blueprint for comprehensively advancing the China-Vietnam community with a shared future.
Economic cooperation between the two countries continues to develop steadily, with growing integration in industrial and supply chains. China remains a significant economic partner for Vietnam, and both nations are seeking to upgrade their economic relationship. Here’s occurring alongside efforts to address long-running territorial disputes in the South China Sea, aiming to prevent further conflict.
The enduring core values underpinning the relationship – described as “good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners” – are consistently highlighted by both Chinese and Vietnamese leaders when referring to bilateral ties. These concepts, according to Professor Cui Shoujun from the Institute of International Development Studies at Renmin University of China, encapsulate the distinctive nature and long-term trajectory of the relationship.
As global production chains and industries undergo restructuring and relocation, these shifts are creating additional spaces and new opportunities for economic cooperation between China and Vietnam. Strengthened bilateral security ties are also anticipated as a natural consequence of increasing economic interdependence.
