China's president kicks off two-day visit to Vietnam
President Xi's visit to neighboring country comes two days after Japan sent boats to Vietnam to be used as patrol vessels in disputed area of South China Sea
China's President Xi Jinping arrived in Vietnam's capital Hanoi on Thursday to start a two-day visit, his first to the country as head of state and leader of China's Communist Party.
State news agency Xinhua reported that Xi's trip took place upon an invitation from Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong.
Xi's visit came two days after Japan sent two boats to Vietnam to be used as patrol vessels amid reported demonstrations of force by China in the South China Sea.
The Japanese government provided two second-hand fishing boats to the Vietnamese coast guard to strengthen the country's law enforcement capability.
China continues to defend its maritime boundary claims in the Sea in response to United States warships sailing near the Spratly Islands -- where China has reportedly constructed two artificial islands on Subi and Mischief reefs.
The Chinese military released photos late Sunday showing fighter jets flying over the sea near Vietnamese waters.
Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines have also laid claims to areas of the Spratly archipelago.
Following his Vietnam trip, Xi will visit Singapore Nov. 6-7, upon the invitation of Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam.
