China and Vietnam Strengthen Ties with Rail Links, Data Deals, and 37 Agreements

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vietnamese leaders have hailed the strengthening of ties between the two countries, signing dozens of co-operation pacts during Xi's visit to Vietnam. The leaders announced the establishment of a strategic China-Vietnam community with a "shared future." The pacts cover areas such as rail links, telecoms, and digital data co-operation, potentially paving the way for Chinese support in building a 5G network in Vietnam. However, no deal was announced on rare earths, despite Vietnam having significant deposits. The improvement in relations is seen as symbolic, with China and the United States competing for influence in the region.