China Meets Vietnamese Prime Minister Ahead of the US... Priority Meeting

Harris, US Vice President, Southeast Asia Tour
Diplomatic Battle to Curb China's Influence
Xiong Bo, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam, Holds Unannounced Meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister
Announces Donation of 2 Million Vaccine Doses

Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Vietnam
Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Amid concerns that the United States might abruptly abandon its major allies following the withdrawal from Afghanistan, Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed support for Southeast Asian countries. Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam took steps to counter the U.S. by holding a surprise meeting with the Vietnamese Prime Minister.

On the 24th (local time), Xiong Bo, the Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam, met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for talks. In this unannounced meeting, Ambassador Xiong announced plans to donate 2 million doses of vaccines to Vietnam.

This meeting took place just before Vice President Harris's visit to Vietnam. Harris arrived in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, around 9:45 PM, about three hours later than originally scheduled, citing an "anomalous health incident."

Experts analyzed that this meeting was aimed at China securing leadership in the Southeast Asian region in response to the U.S.'s diplomatic efforts toward Vietnam. The purpose was to block China's aggressive expansion of influence.

Murray Hiebert, a Southeast Asia expert at the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), stated, "The Chinese ambassador's urgent meeting with the Vietnamese Prime Minister just before Vice President Harris's visit indicates that the Chinese authorities are concerned about neighboring communist countries strengthening ties with the U.S."

Before her visit to Vietnam, Vice President Harris delivered a speech in Singapore on the same day, reaffirming the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy by stating, "The United States will focus on strengthening partnerships with key allies such as Singapore and Vietnam."

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

She also criticized, "China's actions in the South China Sea violate international order and threaten the sovereignty of neighboring countries."

Vice President Harris's remarks came amid China's emphasis that "Asian countries like Taiwan, which are under U.S. protection, could face similar situations" following the U.S. decision to withdraw from Afghanistan.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, criticized, "What is currently happening in Afghanistan clearly shows what the U.S.-led order means," adding, "The United States carried out ruthless military interventions while ignoring the citizens of other sovereign nations."

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) evaluated, "Vice President Harris's visit to Vietnam contrasts with the recent chaos in Afghanistan," and stated, "It demonstrates the U.S.'s determination not to withdraw support from the Southeast Asian region."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.