Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Vietnam will likely see the two countries agree to further integrate their supply chains and symbolically upgrade their relationship, which will benefit Vietnam amid the growing U.S.-China competition over rare earth minerals. Xi will pay a state visit to Vietnam on Dec. 12-13, his first visit to the country since 2017. During his trip, the Chinese president will meet with Nguyen Phu Trong, the General Secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party, and, according to the Chinese foreign ministry, will ''discuss bringing China-Vietnam relations to a higher position.'' Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Hanoi earlier this month, which likely involved finalizing a joint statement that will be unveiled during Xi's upcoming visit. During Wang's Dec. 1-2 trip, China and Vietnam also agreed to upgrade rail infrastructure and more thoroughly integrate supply chains, with a particular focus on rare earths, which Xi's visit will further iron...
