General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and President of the United States of America (USA) Joe Biden met on September 10, 2023, and the parties decided to raise diplomatic relations to the highest level[1] In response to this development, Chinese officials said that a new Cold War could start in Southeast Asia. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning stated that Washington should put aside its “hegemonic and Cold War mentality” and “abide by the basic norms governing international relations” in its relations with Asian countries.[2]
At the same time, Mao Ning reminded that Vietnam’s relationship with Beijing is “the first priority in foreign policy” and asked “the United States to respect the common aspirations of regional countries for stability, cooperation and development”.[3]
Mira Rapp-Hooper, White House Senior Director for East Asia, countered Beijing’s characterization of Washington’s moves as Cold War mentality and emphasized that the partnership with Vietnam, far removed from “any Cold War moves”, “epitomizes what modern partnership looks like from the United States perspective”. Rapp Hopper said that partnership with the United States does not force Vietnam to choose between Washington or Beijing, and that it is not about Vietnam choosing the United States over anyone or anything, but about what all actors stand for together. [4]
The USA Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E Knapper underlined that the new relationship with Vietnam is “not about anyone else” and used the following statements:[5]
“It’s about the interests of both countries and the real value of this relationship for our shared prosperity, for our shared security, for our shared interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific and a free and open South China Sea.”
Joe Biden is the third US President to visit Vietnam, following Donald Trump and Barack Obama.[6] It can be said that the Vietnamese are also satisfied with this attention. President Biden’s visit is important regardless of who the incumbent president is or what party he or she comes from. This shows that Vietnam is able to maintain positive diplomatic relations with the United States.
It is quite understandable that any actor wants to establish good relations with the United States, which is a great power. The difference here is related to Vietnam’s ideological ties with China, its geopolitical position, and in this context, whether the US will take part in the policy of encircling China. China will not want to lose Vietnam to the American axis. Therefore, Beijing is concerned about the developing Washington-Hanoi relations.
As a result, the USA is trying to implement its containment policy, which it applied against the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) during the Cold War and achieved an advantageous result, against China today. In the Asia-Pacific, where polarization politics is effective, states have started to attract other actors to their side. Vietnam is ultimately forced to choose between the United States or China.
[1] “Remarks by President Biden and General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng of the Communist Party of Vietnam Before Bilateral Meeting”, The White House, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/09/10/remarks-by-president-biden-and-general-secretary-nguyen-phu-trong-of-the-communist-party-of-vietnam-before-bilateral-meeting/, (Erişim Tarihi: 16.09.2023).
[2] “China Sees ‘Cold War Mentality’ in US-Vietnam Pact, Vietnamese Disagree”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/16/china-sees-cold-war-mentality-in-us-vietnam-pact-vietnamese-disagree, (Erişim Tarihi: 16.09.2023).
[3] Aynı yer.
[4] “US Says Hanoi Ties Upgrade is not a ‘Cold War’ Move Against China”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/us-says-hanoi-ties-upgrade-is-not-cold-war-move-against-china-2023-09-13/, Reuters, (Erişim Tarihi: 16.09.2023).
[5] “Digital Press Briefing with Marc E. Knapper, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam and Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania, National Security Council, U. S. Department of State, https://t.ly/e1krS, (Erişim Tarihi: 16.09.2023).
[6] “China Sees ‘Cold War Mentality’ in US-Vietnam Pact, Vietnamese Disagree”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/16/china-sees-cold-war-mentality-in-us-vietnam-pact-vietnamese-disagree, (Erişim Tarihi: 16.09.2023).
