The Facts

• The president of Vietnam, To Lam, arrived in Guangzhou, China on Sunday to begin a three-day visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese officials.

• This is Lam's first foreign visit since becoming president earlier this month, with Xi being quoted as saying the visit reflects the "great importance" of China-Vietnam relations. On Monday, 14 agreements between the two leaders were signed.

• In 2008, Vietnam elevated relations with China to "comprehensive strategic partnership," the highest level, as disputes over territory in the South China Sea remain unresolved. The US was elevated to comprehensive strategic partnership status in 2023.