Why the Chinese president's year-end Vietnam state visit matters

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General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping has just paid a state visit to Vietnam. This is his last overseas trip in 2023. Many netizens are asking: Why Vietnam? Why is the Chinese leader's state visit to a neighboring country attracting so much attention from foreign media?

First of all, as socialist countries and "comrades and brothers," Vietnam views its relationship with China as a strategic choice and top priority in foreign affairs. China also sees Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy.

Second, with economy and trade, China is Vietnam's largest trading partner, while Vietnam is China's fourth-largest trading partner, after the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

Third, this year marks the 15th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Vietnam. It is also the 10th anniversary of the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the 10th anniversary of China's principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy. So, the new positioning of the China-Vietnam bilateral relationship is seen as a natural progression.

It's not hard to understand that a relationship of such timing, geographical advantage, and favorable circumstances is making certain countries feel uneasy. Three months ago, right after the conclusion of the G20 Summit, U.S. President Joe Biden flew from New Delhi straight to Hanoi for a two-day state visit to Vietnam. The purpose of this visit was twofold: First, seeking to suppress China by elevating the partnership with Vietnam; and second, aiming to promote "Made in Vietnam" as an alternative to "Made in China." Indeed, Biden's visit was directed at China.

But, the intertwined relationship between Vietnam and China is not easily shaken. After the 19th CPC National Congress, President Xi's first overseas visit was to Vietnam. After the 20th CPC National Congress, the first state leader to visit China was also from Vietnam.

The U.S. wants Vietnam to take sides, but forgets that Vietnam is a diplomatically independent and strategically autonomous country. Vietnam's defense policy includes the "Four Nos": no partaking in military alliances, no siding with one country to act against another, no foreign military bases in Vietnamese territory or using Vietnam as leverage to undermine other countries, and no use of force or threatening to use force in international relations.

The leadership in Vietnam has expressed support for a "multipolar international order." Vietnamese state media has stated that Vietnam is not interested in joining any alliance or becoming a puppet of any camp. Vietnam's basic goal is to become a high-income country by the mid-21st century, and stability in the surrounding environment is crucial for its own development.

Some Western media are also casting doubt on the U.S.'s petty scheme. Reuters reported that Biden's visit to Vietnam was "high-profile" but lacked substantive progress, and it provided data comparison: In the first 11 months of 2023, China's investment in Vietnam was $8.2 billion, twice that of the same period last year. At the same time, U.S. investment in Vietnam was only $500 million, down nearly one-third from the $700 million in 2022. What is the U.S. trying to achieve with this?

The United States hopes to simply substitute "Made in China" with "Made in Vietnam" without realizing that a significant portion of the products Vietnam exports to the West relies on Chinese capital and technology. Vietnam's development and industrial upgrades are still dependent on China's support. From the U.S. perspective, finding a pawn to replace China is fundamental, without considering Vietnam's own developmental needs.

In contrast, the "16-character" policy of China-Vietnam relations is "long-term stability, future orientation, good-neighborly friendship and comprehensive cooperation." Every word is built on the foundation of mutual benefit, collaborative development, respect for sovereignty, and sharing weal and woe.

Finally, let's examine why this bilateral engagement could become the finale of 2023 and draw widespread attention from overseas media.

The most crucial point is that China and Vietnam are joining hands to build a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. Fifteen years after upgrading the relationship between the two parties and two countries, what does this mean, and how does it differ from a comprehensive strategic partnership?

Politically, China and Vietnam firmly support each other on issues related to their respective core interests and major concerns, jointly upholding international fairness and justice.

Security-wise, as two socialist countries, China and Vietnam will ensure that the red color of the socialist flag remains unchanged.

In practical cooperation, China and Vietnam will focus on quality upgrading and seeking common development. Specific growth points mentioned include the eight major steps to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, digital economy, green development, free trade, global industrial and supply chains, and foreign investment.

To consolidatethe basis of public opinion, China and Vietnam will build on their friendship and strengthen bonds. Key areas for increased investment and policy support include agriculture, education, healthcare, youth, tourism and local cooperation.

Regarding international and regional issues, China and Vietnam will uphold multilateralism, construct a peaceful and stable Asia-Pacific environment, and enhance the voice and influence of developing countries.

Regarding maritime issues, China and Vietnam will promote joint development, transforming challenges arising from differences into opportunities to deepen cooperation.

This is called quality upgrading, and it will serve as an exemplary model for bilateral relations between responsible major countries under the current situation. It will also become a new milestone in the history of China-Vietnam relations.

Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, said this: Thanks to China for its firm support for Vietnam's reform, opening-up, industrialization and modernization. Vietnam supports China's great cause of reunification and firmly opposes any form of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities. Vietnam firmly opposes any force’s interference in China's internal affairs on issues involving Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang. Vietnam firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. Vietnam firmly supports the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.

2023 is coming to an end and 2024 is approaching. China and Vietnam are friendly neighbors with similar ideals and interlinked ideas. People of the two countries appreciate the traditional friendship and will work together on their respective modernization paths to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. This is not only the best answer at the end of 2023, but also our deepest blessing and expectation for 2024.

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