President Xi Jinping’s visit to Vietnam comes with tensions running high between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. China’s President Xi Jinping will visit Vietnam for the first time in six years to counter the United States’ growing influence with the communist nation. Xi will meet the leader of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, after it upgraded its diplomatic ties with Washington when US President Joe Biden visited in September. Biden’s visit was part of US efforts around the world to contain China’s rising economic power — and to secure supplies of crucial materials needed for high-tech manufacturing.
Vietnam has long pursued a bamboo diplomacy approach, striving to stay on good terms with both powers. It shares US concerns about Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea, but it also has close economic ties with China, while both countries have ruling communist parties. Vietnam and China already share a comprehensive strategic partnership, Vietnam’s highest diplomatic status. Hanoi and Washington upgraded their relationship to the same level in September.
That could see Xi push for Vietnam to join his Community of Common Destiny, a loosely defined phrase that refers to a vision of future cooperation on economic, security, and political issues. Xi will hold talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Vo Van Thuong and on Wednesday lay a wreath at the mausoleum of revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh.
The two-day visit comes with tensions running high between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, after confrontations between the countries’ vessels at flashpoint reefs. The Philippines said it had summoned China’s envoy on Monday and flagged the possibility of expelling him. Vietnam, along with Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, also has overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
China has over the past decade expanded land reclamation in the South China Sea, creating militarized islands, with runways, ports, and radar systems. During Biden’s visit, Vietnam and the United States jointly warned against the threat or use of force in the South China Sea. And Vietnam was one of several ASEAN members upset by a new official Chinese map published in September, showing sovereignty over almost the entire resource-rich waterway.
Analysts say that, like Biden in September, Xi may seek closer cooperation on rare earth minerals used in the manufacture of high-tech devices such as smartphones and electric car batteries. Vietnamese state-controlled media reported last month that China Rare Earth Group Co. was looking for opportunities to work with Vietnam’s mining giant Vinacomin. The United States and Vietnam in September agreed to cooperate to help Hanoi quantify and develop its rare earth resources.
President Xi’s visit to Vietnam highlights the ongoing power struggle between the United States and China in Southeast Asia. As tensions rise in the South China Sea, Vietnam finds itself balancing its economic ties with China while aligning with the US on security concerns. President Xi’s push for Vietnam to join his Community of Common Destiny reflects China’s ambition to expand its influence in the region. Meanwhile, Vietnam seeks to maintain its bamboo diplomacy by cultivating strong relationships with both superpowers.
The visit also comes at a time of heightened tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, with recent confrontations between their vessels. Vietnam, along with Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, has its own disputes with China over territorial claims in the region. China’s expansion and militarization of islands in the South China Sea have raised concerns among its neighbors and countries like Vietnam and the Philippines.
In addition to geopolitical concerns, China’s visit also aims to secure vital resources. Both the US and China are vying for access to rare earth minerals crucial for high-tech manufacturing. Vietnam, with its significant rare earth resources, has become an attractive partner for both powers. Cooperation between China and Vietnam in this area could have far-reaching implications for the global supply chain of high-tech devices.
Despite the delicate balancing act, Vietnam continues to navigate its way through the complex dynamics of the US-China rivalry. The country remains committed to safeguarding its sovereignty and promoting regional stability. President Xi’s visit provides an opportunity for both sides to discuss a range of issues, including politics, security, practical cooperation, multilateral affairs, and maritime disputes. As China seeks to counter US influence in the region, Vietnam’s strategic decisions will play a crucial role in shaping the future dynamics of Southeast Asia.
