Vietnam Leader Sees China Friendship as Key to Regional Calm

To Lam, Vietnam’s new top chief, staying friendly with China can help keep the South China Sea peaceful. He said Vietnam will not choose sides, but will work with both China and the United States to keep its borders safe. The leader explained that building good ties with China is not a conflict with solving disputes over the sea. If Vietnam and China keep talking, problems can be solved together. Vietnam has long asked for disputes to be settled by international law. The country claims all the Paracel and Spratly islands that China occupies, while China also claims large parts of the sea. Other nations such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also claim parts of the same waterway. These overlapping claims make the area a hotspot for tension. Lam’s remarks come as he tries to raise Vietnam’s profile on the world stage. He wants stronger relations with China, the United States and other major powers while pushing an ambitious economic plan. He calls the rivalry between China and the U. S. a “real” situation that Vietnam must navigate carefully. The country will use good relationships with big powers to tackle shared problems.Vietnam’s new leader has a powerful position that gives him more decision‑making power than in the past. Some observers worry this could lead to tighter control, but it also means Vietnam can act more quickly. Lam’s background in security gives him a different perspective than typical diplomats. During his first speech at Singapore’s biggest defence meeting, Lam highlighted three global challenges: the weakening of international rules, slow economic growth and climate change. He urged stronger law enforcement, inclusive growth and open dialogue to counter these crises. Lam also talked about Vietnam’s economic goals. The country wants to become a high‑income nation by 2045, aiming for 10% GDP growth this year and even higher rates later. He said that despite external pressures, Vietnam will keep its target unchanged. The leader believes meeting this goal is essential for the country’s broader development plans.