Beijing/Hanoi, April 14 -- Amid its ongoing trade war with the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Vietnam today in what is his first overseas trip of the year to cement trade relations with the neighbouring country, and forge stronger strategic ties with Southeast Asia.

"I look forward to using this visit as an opportunity to have an in-depth exchange of views with Vietnamese leaders on the overall, strategic and directional issues of relations between the two parties and the two countries, as well as international and regional issues of common concern," Xi said in prepared remarks soon after his arrival, according to South China Morning Post.

Landing in Hanoi, the Chinese President was greeted by senior officials of th...