Vietnam Party chief welcomed with 21-gun salute in China

The welcome ceremony for Trong and other high-ranking Vietnamese delegates, led by Trong's Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, was held at the Great Hall of the People Monday afternoon, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

As the cars carrying Trong entered the Hall, 21 cannon shots were fired as a salute. Xi then welcomed Trong and the two leaders posed for photographs before holding talks.

Trong and his entourage arrived in Beijing Sunday, beginning an official three-day visit to China.

The visit underlines the importance both countries give to their bilateral relationship and is expected to take this to new heights, local media reports said.

Professor Pan Jin'e from the School of Marxism under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Trong was the first foreign leader to visit China following the country's 20th National Congress.

"The visit of General Party Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will help the two countries boost their political credibility and relations in all aspects," Pan said.

Vietnam is China's largest commercial partner in ASEAN and sixth largest in the world.

The two countries' bilateral trade reached $165.8 billion in 2021, up 24.6% from 2020, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.