The agreement, still confidential, could lead to a significant expansion of Vietjet's fleet through the potential acquisition of Comac C-919 and ARJ-21

Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Vietnam concluded with the signing of a package of 45 far-reaching cooperation agreements, marking an increasingly solid strategic alliance between the two Nations. The highlight event, held yesterday in the Vietnamese capital, saw the Chinese leader and the general secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party, To Lam, engage in a wide range of areas, from advanced connectivity to artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on boosting the aviation sector and infrastructure development.

Among the most notable deals is a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet and Chinese aviation giant Comac. While specific details of the deal have not been officially disclosed, sources close to the Vietnamese aviation industry suggest it has far-reaching implications. According to an internal statement leaked by a government official who requested anonymity, the deal could herald a significant expansion of Vietjet’s fleet through the acquisition of Comac-produced aircraft, potentially including the C-919 and AR-J21 models. This would allow Vietjet to expand its domestic and international routes, offer competitive fares, and increase Vietnam’s connectivity to the region and beyond.

Vietnamese aviation industry experts point out that this collaboration could represent a crucial opportunity for Vietjet to diversify its fleet and access emerging aviation technologies. At the same time, for Comac, the agreement with a fast-growing carrier like Vietjet represents an important showcase for its aircraft in the Southeast Asian market, traditionally dominated by Western manufacturers.

In parallel, Vietnam’s commitment to invest in new high-speed rail lines with the support of potential Chinese funding, as expressed by To Lam, underscores a shared vision to improve regional infrastructure connectivity. This ambitious project, according to an analysis published by Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport, would not only facilitate the transportation of goods and people, but would also stimulate economic growth along the new routes, creating new development opportunities for local communities.

In addition to the transportation sector, cooperation between China and Vietnam extends to advanced technological frontiers such as artificial intelligence. The agreements signed in this area, as indicated by sources from the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology, aim to promote joint research, exchange of expertise and application of AI in key sectors such as smart cities, precision agriculture and healthcare.

The wide range of agreements signed also includes cooperation in customs inspection and quarantine, agricultural trade, culture, sports, people's livelihood, human resources development and media. The Memorandum of Understanding between the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, which focuses on product origin certification, is a key step to ensure the quality and authenticity of traded goods, strengthening trust between businesses in the two Countries.

While the specific financial details of many of the agreements remain confidential, the breadth and depth of cooperation outlined during this historic visit indicates a shared desire to strengthen bilateral ties and jointly address the challenges and opportunities of the evolving global landscape. The strategic partnership between China and Vietnam looks set to play an increasingly central role in the geopolitical and economic dynamic of Southeast Asia, a bulwark against protectionist trade policies, particularly tariffs imposed by the United States under the Trump administration, and against global trade tensions.