China and Vietnam Strengthen Ties with 37 Deals
HANOI: In a historic meeting, China and Vietnam, despite ongoing
tensions over the South China Sea, have announced their commitment to enhancing
bilateral relations and building a "shared future." Chinese President
Xi Jinping's visit to Hanoi, the first in six years, resulted in the signing of
37 deals covering diplomatic ties, railways, and telecommunications. This move
comes just three months after Vietnam upgraded its formal relations with the
United States.
While China and the United States compete for influence in the
strategically vital nation, the agreements signal a diplomatic accomplishment
for Vietnam's "Bamboo diplomacy." However, analysts and diplomats
caution that the improved relations may have more symbolic significance than
tangible impact.
Among the agreements, Vietnam pledged to "support the
initiative of building a community of shared future for humankind," a
proposal reportedly pushed by China. The formal signing of this joint statement
is expected to take place on Wednesday.
In a potential de-escalation gesture, the two nations inked
cooperation agreements for joint patrols in the Tonkin Gulf in the South China
Sea and established a hotline to manage fisheries incidents, as outlined in one
of the agreements.
Digital Silk Road and Belt and Road Initiative Expansion
Beyond elevating diplomatic ties, the upgraded status also came
with the announcement of 36 cooperation deals, although it fell short of the
initially proposed 45, missing agreements on critical minerals and rare earths.
President Xi had urged more cooperation in these areas in an opinion piece
published in a Vietnamese state newspaper on Tuesday.
The deals included memoranda of understanding on cross-border rail
development, emphasizing the development of aid. Both countries have advocated
for boosting the rail link between the Chinese city of Kunming and the
Vietnamese port of Haiphong, which traverses regions rich in rare earths.
Strengthening rail networks would facilitate the import of components from
China for assembly in Vietnam, aligning with China's Belt and Road Initiative
(BRI).
Under the "two corridors, one belt" initiative, a
Vietnamese term for infrastructure projects supported by China, both nations
agreed to joint promotion. This move is expected to further extend China's
influence in the region.
Digital Silk Road Plans Take Shape
President Xi's visit is set to bolster plans for the Digital Silk
Road, and several deals were signed to foster cooperation in telecommunications
and the digital economy. While the specifics of these agreements remain
undisclosed, officials suggest that increased telecom cooperation may involve
digital infrastructure like 5G networks and undersea optical fiber cables.
The outcome of this meeting holds significance not only for China and Vietnam but also for the broader geopolitical landscape in the South China Sea region. As both nations navigate complex diplomatic waters, the world watches to see whether these agreements will lead to lasting improvements in relations or remain symbolic gestures amid ongoing geopolitical complexities.
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