Thursday, April 02, 2015
Two-Face: Vietnam Leader Woos China Ahead of U.S. Visit
Communist Party of Vietnam’s top official heads to Beijing as countries seek to smooth relations over South China Sea tensions
By VU TRONG KHANH
A protester holds up a large photograph of Vietnam Communist Party Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong (R) shaking hands with China's President Xi Jinping during an anti-China rally in downtown Hanoi on June 2, 2013.
By VU TRONG KHANH
HANOI—The Communist Party of Vietnam’s top official heads to China next week at a time the two countries are seeking to improve relations soured by overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is to arrive in China on Tuesday for a four-day trip.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is to arrive in China on Tuesday for a four-day trip.
It will be the highest-profile visit by a Vietnamese official to China since friction over the deployment of a Chinese oil rig in contested waters last May.
“The visit is aimed at consolidating and maintaining stability in bilateral relations, paving the way for the settlement of the differences between the two countries and contributing to a peaceful and stable environment,” according to a statement by the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Relations between Vietnam and China—its largest trading partner and communist ally—plunged to their lowest levels in decades after the oil rig deployment.
“The visit is aimed at consolidating and maintaining stability in bilateral relations, paving the way for the settlement of the differences between the two countries and contributing to a peaceful and stable environment,” according to a statement by the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Relations between Vietnam and China—its largest trading partner and communist ally—plunged to their lowest levels in decades after the oil rig deployment.
Anger over the rig triggered anti-China demonstrations in several parts of Vietnam, as well as riots at several industrial parks where Chinese and other foreign manufacturers set up shop.
The rioting left several dead and foreign investors concerned about the security of their plants and employees.
The two countries have since exchanged visits at lower levels to better manage maritime disputes, but Vietnam remains concerned about China’s move to expand its construction activities in the seas.
The visit, coming before Trong is expected travel to the U.S. to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations, could result in high-stakes bargaining as Beijing seeks to keep Vietnam in its orbit and undercut U.S. influence.
“Trong will bargain for guarantees that China will not resume provocations in the South China Sea like last year’s oil rig episode leaving open the possibility that Vietnam could ramp up its relations with Washington if China demurs,” said Carlyle Thayer, an emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia.
“Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Beijing is unlikely to come up with a deadline for resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, but Trong’s visit likely will result in an upswing in bilateral relations,” Mr. Thayer added.
The two countries have since exchanged visits at lower levels to better manage maritime disputes, but Vietnam remains concerned about China’s move to expand its construction activities in the seas.
The visit, coming before Trong is expected travel to the U.S. to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations, could result in high-stakes bargaining as Beijing seeks to keep Vietnam in its orbit and undercut U.S. influence.
“Trong will bargain for guarantees that China will not resume provocations in the South China Sea like last year’s oil rig episode leaving open the possibility that Vietnam could ramp up its relations with Washington if China demurs,” said Carlyle Thayer, an emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia.
“Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Beijing is unlikely to come up with a deadline for resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, but Trong’s visit likely will result in an upswing in bilateral relations,” Mr. Thayer added.
“But it will take quite a long time for Vietnam to have strategic trust in their northern neighbor.”
The trip comes as Vietnam and China celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
“Trong’s forthcoming visit demonstrates Vietnamese deference to protocol—in coming to the ‘Middle Kingdom’ [China] first... And this places Vietnam in a good position to gain leverage with both Beijing and Washington, Trong’s next stop,” Mr. Thayer said.
At a daily press briefing on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying didn’t offer details of any visit, but said China wants to maintain a “sound and steady relationship” with Vietnam.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea as its historic waters.
The trip comes as Vietnam and China celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
“Trong’s forthcoming visit demonstrates Vietnamese deference to protocol—in coming to the ‘Middle Kingdom’ [China] first... And this places Vietnam in a good position to gain leverage with both Beijing and Washington, Trong’s next stop,” Mr. Thayer said.
At a daily press briefing on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying didn’t offer details of any visit, but said China wants to maintain a “sound and steady relationship” with Vietnam.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea as its historic waters.
The sea is believed to be home to significant oil-and-gas reserves, which have grown particularly appealing to China as it imports more energy from abroad.
Despite tensions, trade between Vietnam and China rose 17% last year to $58.77 billion, according to Vietnamese government data.
Despite tensions, trade between Vietnam and China rose 17% last year to $58.77 billion, according to Vietnamese government data.
Vietnam’s exports to China rose 12.6% last year to $14.91 billion, while its imports from China were up 18.8% to $43.87 billion.
However, Vietnam’s trade deficit with China expanded to nearly $29 billion in 2014 from $23.7 billion in 2013.
Last month, Vietnam voiced protests over China’s move to expand construction on the disputed Spratly islands, which Vietnam calls Truong Sa, in the South China Sea.
Parts of the contested waters in the South China Sea are also claimed by Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei.
However, Vietnam’s trade deficit with China expanded to nearly $29 billion in 2014 from $23.7 billion in 2013.
Last month, Vietnam voiced protests over China’s move to expand construction on the disputed Spratly islands, which Vietnam calls Truong Sa, in the South China Sea.
Parts of the contested waters in the South China Sea are also claimed by Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei.
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