US President Joe Biden sees Vietnam as ‘critical power’

U.S. President Joe Biden posted a video on social media platform X, formerly called Twitter, on Tuesday (U.S. time), affirming that Vietnam is a ‘critical partner’ in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Vietnam is a critical power in the world, and a bellwether in this vital region,” he said in the 90-second video describing his state visit to Vietnam, which took place on Sunday and Monday.

The video starts with his statement, “This trip has been a historic moment.”

The video recaps the footage of a warm welcome for the U.S. president hosted by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, and Biden’s meetings with top Vietnamese leaders, including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, State President Vo Van Thuong, and Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue.

“The United States has strengthened our ties with another critical Indo-Pacific partner,” he said.

Biden underlined that all the progress over the past 50 years – none of it was inevitable. “It requires years of hard work from leaders in both countries.”

“I’m incredibly proud of how our nations and our peoples have built trust and understanding over the decades and work to repair the painful legacy the war left on both our nations,” he stressed.

President Biden emphasized that the two nations’ cooperation on these painful issues, as well as on forging new legacies, “is one of shared peace and prosperity.”

“It’s a powerful reminder of all we can accomplish when we are able to transcend the pain of the past and embrace a future of progress, one grounded on the unity of our people,” he said.

He also wrote on X on Tuesday night, “Following 50 years of progress in the relationship between our nations, from conflict to normalization, I am proud to have strengthened ties with Vietnam — a critical Indo-Pacific partner — even further.”

“I look forward to continuing this new chapter in the story of our nations,” he said in the video.

Vietnam and the U.S. announced the elevation of their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level in the Southeast Asian country’s international relations, following talks between Vietnamese Party chief Trong and U.S. President Biden in Hanoi on Sunday.

By Tieu Bac & Ngoc Duc – Tuoi Tre News – September 13, 2023