Editorial | China-Vietnam ties on sound footing
- New leader To Lam’s first overseas visit was to China, underlining Hanoi’s commitment to good neighbourly relations despite sea dispute
Vietnam has sought to balance relations with major powers, against a background of territorial tension with Beijing in the South China Sea. Improved ties with the United States are a case in point. A leadership change in Hanoi has served to put that in perspective.
The first trip abroad by new Communist Party General Secretary To Lam was to China. The territorial issue remains unresolved.
But the fact he chose China as his first stop after succeeding the late Nguyen Phu Trong in July is a reminder that an understanding prevails among Vietnamese leaders of the importance of China to their country.
That is not to say that official accounts of his visit, which included a meeting with President Xi Jinping, discounted the territorial tensions. The two sides vowed to better manage and resolve disputes over the South China Sea through friendly consultation.
Western media tend to play up territorial tension, but it is hardly the whole story of bilateral relations. Given Vietnam’s extensive border with a huge neighbour, overall management of the relationship is paramount.
Economically China is very important for Vietnam, despite talk about relocation of supply chains from China to Vietnam.