China-US rivalry : how Vietnam’s deft balancing act keeps it from having to pick sides
Hanoi has shunned overreliance on any foreign power and enhanced its defensive capabilities by developing a global network of strategic partnerships. Thanks to its ‘omnibalancing’ strategy, a self-reliant Vietnam is neither too dependent on, nor fully vulnerable to, any superpower
Vietnam needs to bolster its ‘soft balancing’ against China
Vietnam’s statements on the South China Sea at international forums reveal a subtle, defensive strategy – one that hasn’t been enough thus far.
Vietnam did not ‘bully’ China ahead of bloody 79 war
On November 14, Yanis Varoufakis, founder and general secretary of Greece’s left-wing European Realistic Disobedience Front, opined that China’s past actions towards Vietnam were not imperialist.
Railway goods transport between Vietnam, China surges
The total volume of goods traded between Vietnam and China going through the two border-gate railway stations of Lao Cai and Dong Dang reached more than 838,000 tonnes in the first nine months of 2021, up 43 percent year-on-year, according…
China’s growing influence in Cambodia and Laos has Vietnam on edge
In late September, the leader of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, invited his Cambodian and Laotian counterparts—Hun Sen, who is also Cambodia’s prime minister, and Thongloun Sisoulith, who is also Laos’ president—to Hanoi for a meeting.
Vietnam takes Sinopharm vaccines to ease Ho Chi Minh City’s woes
Pandemic offers Beijing opportunity to firm ties with strategically important neighbor
Vietnam’s hidden debts to China expose its political risks
Although Vietnam’s Chinese debt burden is low compared to some of its neighbors, it is still a worry for the Communist Party mandarins in Hanoi.
Vietnamese citizens slam distortion of history in Chinese TV drama
Audiences have expressed anger over possible distortion of the truth by a Chinese TV serial about the 1979 border war between Vietnam and China.
From delay to desperation: the story of sinophobia and COVID-19 vaccines in Vietnam
During its recent COVID-19 outbreaks, the Vietnamese government has found itself trapped between the virus and a Sinophobic public.
In rare three-party conclave, Vietnam pushes back against growing chinese influence
Hanoi is becoming increasingly unnerved by the growing Chinese influence over its longstanding clients, Cambodia and Laos.
Vietnam bids to woo Cambodia, Laos from China
Recent meeting of Southeast Asian nations’ leaders underlined Hanoi’s push to restore strong ties with its old neighboring allies.
Vietnam slams illegal aircraft landings on Spratly Islands
Vietnam expressed strong opposition Thursday to China illegally landing its aircraft on Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago as a violation of its sovereignty.
Coronavirus concerns see China halt Vietnam’s US$1 billion dragon fruit trade
China is the top destination for Vietnamese dragon fruit – representing over 80 per cent of total shipments and amounting to US$1 billion a year. Authorities in the Guangxi region, bordering Vietnam, found traces of coronavirus on packaging and cardboard…
China warns Vietnam to watch out for outside interference in South China Sea
Chinese foreign minister’s remarks follow call from US vice-president for Southeast Asian countries to resist Beijing’s ‘bullying’ in disputed waters. Vietnam is likely to continue its pragmatic balancing act between the two powers, and remain a reliable partner to all,…
China’s Wang Yi tells Vietnam to avoid magnifying sea dispute
The foreign minister says the two countries should be vigilant to resist the intervention of extraterritorial forces in the South China Sea.
These elephant-riding warrior sisters freed ancient Vietnam from Chinese rule
From atop their war elephants, the Trung sisters ousted China’s Han overlords in A.D. 40. They have since become heroic icons to Vietnamese people all over the world.
China’s regional stance gives the US a chance to deepen ties with Vietnam
Hanoi has been tempted to shift away from neutrality as tensions rise with Beijing.
US vice president pledges Vietnam COVID jabs ; says China bullies
Kamala Harris says US will provide Vietnam with an additional one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
Vietnam says it will not side against China, as US’ Kamala Harris visits
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reassures Chinese envoy before he meets US vice-president during her Asian tour. But Pham says negotiations for a code of conduct on the disputed South China Sea should be stepped up via the Asean bloc.
Developing Vietnam-China relations top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy
Developing the Vietnam-China relations is a strategic choice and a top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Tuesday.
Anti-Chinese rhetoric chills Vietnam’s vaccines enthusiasm
Vietnam’s enthusiasm for vaccines cooled in recent days when Ho Chi Minh City authorities began administering Chinese company Sinopharm’s doses, rejected by some of the population.
Was Vietnam’s Chinese COVID-19 vaccine debacle just a stunt ?
There is a strong case to be made that the Vietnamese government leveraged ingrained anti-Chinese sentiment to boost vaccine uptake.
Chinese manufacturers forced to halt production in Vietnam as coronavirus surge grows
Chinese manufacturers in southern Vietnam are suffering amid lockdowns and business closures, and they are not confident restrictions will be relaxed soon. A growing number of Chinese manufacturers have moved to Vietnam since the start of the trade war to…
Vietnam’s attitude towards Chinese vaccines is very telling
Vietnam’s embrace of Western vaccines – and distrust of Chinese ones – reflect the country’s zeitgeist, says a researcher.
Young members of ethnic minority groups most at risk in Vietnam-China human trafficking trade
The study by the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation found that groups such as the H’mong and Thai were vulnerable to being caught up in the illicit trade. More than 60 per cent of victims and prosecuted traffickers were from these…
Vietnam’s strategic interests in the South China Sea : Challenges and options
According to the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, Vietnam is strengthening its maritime militia. Though the figures appear to be exaggerated, Vietnam’s action is propelled by the escalating Chinese aggressive activities.