President Xi Jinping says China places great importance on the friendship between China and Vietnam.

His words have been backed by actions. As the Chinese President concluded his second state visit to China's southern neighbor, it was announced by both countries that they've agreed to fully and effectively implement what's called the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and they've also agreed to reach a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) as soon as possible.  

In return, Vietnam has reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China policy, saying it will resolutely oppose any separatist attempts for "Taiwan independence."

These are big gestures from two countries that have shared diplomatic ties since 1950. Xi says China and Vietnam have a friendship that's been forged with the blood of the older generation. And over nearly seventy years, that friendship has blossomed. China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner for the past thirteen years; Chinese investment in Vietnam is currently around 15 billion dollars; and it's estimated there are some 14,000 Vietnamese currently studying in China, hundreds of whom have Chinese scholarships.

In my report, I met with some of those students, as well as a Chinese businessman who's hoping to start a chain of Vietnamese restaurants across Beijing. They are some of the current generation from both countries who will be forging a closer future together. It's what Xi set out to encourage on this state visit. And in the wake of the significant announcements regarding sovereignty that I mentioned earlier, it looks like China and Vietnam's relationship is going from strength to strength.