Vietnam's President Visits China for State Visit

story

Aug 19, 2024

Above: Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Vietnam President To Lam (R) pass by an honor guard at a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on August 19, 2024 in Beijing, China. Image copyright: Andres Martinez Casares-Pool/Getty Images/Getty Images News via Getty Imagesstory last updated Aug 20

The Facts

The president of Vietnam, To Lam, arrived in Guangzhou, China on Sunday to begin a three-day visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese officials.
This is Lam's first foreign visit since becoming president earlier this month, with Xi being quoted as saying the visit reflects the "great importance" Lam places on China-Vietnam relations. On Monday, 14 agreements between the two leaders were signed.

The Spin

Pro-China narrative

All neighbors have disagreements with each other, but China and Vietnam both realize that they stand to gain much from a peaceful and harmonious relationship. Vietnam is entitled to forge its own path on the world stage, and it clearly sees the benefits of expanding trade with China. The PRC will always look forward to diplomacy with like-minded nations.

Global Times

Anti-China narrative

As the territorial dispute in the South China Sea grows more intractable, Vietnam and China are putting on a good show for the cameras, as Vietnam walks a tightrope between geographic integrity and economic prosperity. China's continued aggression against Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, and others over their dubious claims are ultimately pushing their neighbors away from Beijing.