Vietnam's President Visits China for State Visit

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Facts

  • The president of Vietnam, To Lam, arrived in Guangzhou, China on Sunday to begin a three-day visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese officials.[1]
  • This is Lam's first foreign visit since becoming president earlier this month, with Xi being quoted as saying the visit reflects the 'great importance' Lam places on China-Vietnam relations. On Monday, 14 agreements between the two leaders were signed.[2][1]
  • In 2008, Vietnam elevated relations with China to the title of 'comprehensive strategic partnership,' the highest level, as disputes over territory in the South China Sea remain unresolved. The US was elevated to comprehensive strategic partnership status in 2023.[2][3]
  • In particular, Xi said that the two would discuss the potential 'expansion' of China's Belt and Road Initiative, which would include investment in transportation connections, especially via rail, between Vietnam and China. The PRC is Vietnam's largest trading partner with $171B in economic activity in 2023.[4][3]
  • While a joint statement is expected by the end of the trip, Xi and Lam have signed documents of cooperation in multiple areas. Xi said that the 'hard connectivity' of the country's rail and port connections will be coupled with a 'soft connectivity' of trade and supply chain cooperation.[5]
  • Besides negotiations, Lam visited spots in Guangzhou associated with Vietnamese communist leader Ho Chi Minh before leaving for Beijing. The agreements on trade pick-up on prior discussions had during Xi's visit to Hanoi last December.[6]

Sources: [1]Reuters, [2]Radio Free Asia, [3]Dw.Com, [4]BNN Bloomberg, [5]CGTN and [6]Associated Press.

Narratives

  • Pro-China narrative, as provided by Globaltimes. All neighbors have disagreements with each other, but China and Vietnam both realize that they stand to gain much from a peaceful and harmonious relationship. Vietnam is entitled to forge its own path on the world stage, and it clearly sees the benefits of expanding trade with China. The PRC will always look forward to diplomacy with like-minded nations.
  • Anti-China narrative, as provided by South China Morning Post. As the territorial dispute in the South China Sea grows more intractable, Vietnam and China are putting on a good show for the cameras, as Vietnam walks a tightrope between geographic integrity and economic prosperity. China's continued aggression against Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, and others over their dubious claims are ultimately pushing their neighbors away from Beijing.

Predictions