Some less than happy at elevated neighbors’ ties

Several weeks ago, Hanoi designated both the United States and Japan as “comprehensive strategic partners”. This is Vietnam’s highest official designation for a diplomatic relationship and one that Hanoi has used for its relations for China starting 15 years ago. Media in the US heralded the announcement as though the US is now standing on the same starting line with China in a race to draw the Southeast Asian country to the side of one country or the other.

The sensitivity the US media have displayed to such a diplomatic term should leave no one in doubt that the unease they have displayed over Hanoi and Beijing further upgrading their ties on Tuesday indicates it has taken them by surprise.

The sour grapes some US media organizations have shown at China-Vietnam relations being elevated from that “highest official designation” to a strategic China-Vietnam community with a shared future indicates they were not expecting China to leave the US flatfooted on the line.

But for the US, treating Vietnam as “comprehensive strategic partner” means selling it weapons with a view to turning Vietnam into a proxy alongside the Philippines on the other side of the South China Sea.

In contrast, as the continual strengthening of their economic and trade cooperation indicates, China and Vietnam view each other as partners. While the US cares about how Hanoi designates it and how much it can take advantage of that to push through its own agenda, even to Vietnam’s cost. China cares about how the two sides can better tap the potential of their cooperation and exchanges and further expand their common interests.

Both China and Vietnam are now closely integrating into the global industry and supply chains. Not only have they seen a steady increase in their bilateral trade and investment but also their industrial, technological and cultural collaborations. They are working closely together to advance the digital economy, green economy and innovation-driven growth, featuring booming people-to-people exchanges. From January to October, Chinese tourists made more than 1.3 million visits to Vietnam.

Moreover, China and Vietnam support each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns, and maintain close coordination in regional and international cooperation mechanisms. Vietnam is an important player in the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative. It also supports the global security and civilization initiatives China has put forward, as well as China’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

With dozens of deals inked over the past two days during the Chinese leader’s visit, the two neighbors will accelerate synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, and broaden cooperation in such areas as connectivity, SOE reform, green energy and critical minerals.

The development of Sino-Vietnamese ties does not target any third party. Only those trying to a drive a wedge between the two neighbors or those trying to undermine stability and peace in the Asia-Pacific will be unhappy about the enduring vitality of China-Vietnam relations.

Editorial, China Daily