We must oppose any “attempt to disrupt the Asia-Pacific”, declared Wednesday in Hanoi Chinese President Xi Jinping, visiting Vietnam to try to counter the growing influence of the United States on this country. South East Asia.
During the two-day state visit, more than 30 agreements were signed, including a commitment to develop rail links between Vietnam and China.
This trip by the Chinese president to Vietnam comes three months after that of American President Joe Biden in Hanoi, which allowed the signing in September of a strategic partnership agreement with strong economic and technological content between Vietnam and the United States – large rival power of China.
Xi said on Wednesday that China and Vietnam “should be vigilant and oppose any attempt to disrupt the Asia-Pacific,” according to China’s official Xinhua news agency.
“We should strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs and jointly maintain a healthy external environment,” Xi added.
China and Vietnam said in a joint statement that they would “continue to deepen and expand their bilateral relations.” They agreed to build “a community with a common future”, adding that this visit was “a historic step in bilateral relations (…) contributing to peace, stability and development in this region and in the world “.
Vietnam has long favored “bamboo diplomacy,” a flexible policy to strive to remain on good terms with both powers.
It shares U.S. concerns about Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, but it also has close economic ties with China, with which it shares a border and which is also ruled by a communist party.
On Wednesday, the Chinese leader laid a wreath at the mausoleum of revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh and held talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Vo Van Thuong.
Vietnam is committed to “supporting Comrade Xi Jinping’s initiatives for world peace, cooperation and development,” Chinh said.