The "shared future community" initiative agreed between Vietnam and China during a visit to Hanoi by Chinese president Xi Jinping is an important historical milestone and a long-term direction, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at a meeting with Xi on Wednesday.

Chinh said developing ties with China is Vietnam's first priority and a "strategic choice". (Reporting by Khanh Vu; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)