Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Vietnam from December 12th to 13th, 2023. This visit came just weeks after U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam, marking a significant moment in the diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam.
(Photo: President Vladimir Putin with President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping (centre) and President of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang, 2017)
The visit is reportedly prepared by officials from both Vietnam and China. This will be Xi Jinping’s 2nd state visit to Vietnam since 2017, and it was seen as a reflection of Vietnam’s ‘omnidirectional’ foreign policy.
One of the key items on the agenda of Xi’s visit is the elevation of Vietnam-China ties. This includes the potential inclusion of the phrase “community of common destiny” in the joint statement. This phrase, which came into vogue after Xi’s ascendance in 2012, represents “the highest level of bilateral relations for the Xi Jinping administration”.
However, there is some pushback from Vietnam against the inclusion of this phrase. This is due to concerns that such a move could be interpreted as Vietnam joining a China-led coalition against the United States. Despite this, Xi’s visit is seen as a victory for Vietnam’s omnidirectional foreign policy.
The visit also has significant implications for Vietnam’s security. The China-Vietnam relationship is an asymmetrical one, with China holding the key to Vietnam’s foreign policy. When China tolerates Vietnam’s agency, Vietnam is able to cultivate ties with other extra-regional powers and diversify its foreign relations. Therefore, it is vital for Vietnam to obtain Chinese tolerance for its foreign policy initiatives.
Photo Credit: The Russian Presidential Press and Information Office, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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