Beijing, Hanoi sign 45 deals to foster closer ties

Building bonds: Xi (left) and Lam during a meeting in Hanoi on Monday. Vietnam says it will speed up progress on three railway projects to China. — AP

Hanoi: China and Vietnam signed dozens of cooperation agreements during a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, as he aims to strengthen ties in South-East Asia on his first overseas trip of the year.

The two countries signed a total of 45 deals as the Chinese leader met Vietnamese Communist Party chief To Lam on Monday, Vietnamese state media VTV reported, without offering details of the agreements.