Metropolis Desk-
For the first time in six years, Chinese President Xi Jinping touched down in Vietnam on Tuesday, aiming to counterbalance the US’ increasing influence in the communist country.
Following US President Joe Biden’s visit to Hanoi in September, which resulted in an upgrade of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Xi will meet Nguyen Phu Trong, the leader of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam.
Biden’s visit was a part of US efforts globally to secure supplies of vital materials required for high-tech manufacturing and to restrain China’s growing economic might.
Vietnam has long endeavored to maintain good relations with both powers by pursuing a strategy known as “bamboo diplomacy”.
It has strong economic ties to China and both countries have communist parties in power, but it also shares US concerns about Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.
Vietnam holds the highest diplomatic status and together, the two countries already have a “comprehensive strategic partnership”. In September, Washington and Hanoi raised their level of relationship to the same level.
“Bringing China-Vietnam relations to a higher position” is the topic of discussion during the visit, according to Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry.
Outside the hotel where Xi is scheduled to stay, dozens of well-wishers gathered, waving Chinese and Vietnamese flags.
Xi is scheduled to meet with President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam on Wednesday. He will also be laying a wreath at the revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum.
Tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea are at an all-time high due to incidents involving their vessels at flashpoint reefs.
China’s envoy was called to the Philippines on Monday, and the country announced that it may consider expelling him.
There are overlapping claims in the South China Sea between Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
China created militarized islands with ports, runways, and radar systems in the South China Sea over the last ten years by expanding land reclamation.
Both the United States and Vietnam issued joint warnings against the “threat or use of force” in the South China Sea during Biden’s visit.
In September, a new official Chinese map that claimed sovereignty over nearly the whole resource-rich waterway infuriated Vietnam and several other ASEAN members.
Like Biden in September, analysts speculate that Xi may look to expand collaboration on rare earth minerals, which are used in the production of high-tech products like smartphones and batteries for electric cars.
Last month, state-run Vietnamese media revealed that China Rare Earth Group Co. was seeking collaboration opportunities with Vinacomin, the country’s largest mining company.
In September, Vietnam and the US agreed to work together to help Hanoi assess and utilize its rare earth resources.
Concerns about US reliance on China for strategic resources have led to an agreement on semiconductors as part of their new partnership.
The Vietnamese government said on Sunday that US chip giant Nvidia intends to establish a base in Vietnam to grow its semiconductor industry.
