Change and continuity mark Southeast Asia

Visitors taste fruits from Thailand at the 21st China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Sept 26. CHEN GUANYAN / CHINA NEWS SERVICE

Vietnam's new leadership has maintained close exchanges with China with high-level visits as well.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message on Oct 22 to Luong Cuong on the latter's assuming office as Vietnamese president, and called on both countries to strive for more achievements from their comprehensive strategic cooperation to contribute to their modernization drive.

The strengthening partnership between China and Vietnam stands out as a stabilizing force in Asia, vital for regional peace, sustainable economic growth and geopolitical stability, Philippine columnist Wilson Lee Flores wrote.

Contact the writers at prime@chinadailyapac.com

Leonardus Jegho is a freelance journalist for China Daily.