China Talk 19 spotlights US-China competition in Southeast Asia
The Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Vietnam jointly held the 19th edition of the China Talk series, themed “US and China competition in Southeast Asia”, via video teleconference on May 11.
The 19th edition of the China Talk series, themed “US and China competition in Southeast Asia”, takes place on May 11. (Photo: KAS Vietnam)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam(DAV) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Vietnam jointly held the 19th edition of the China Talk series, themed “US and China competition in SoutheastAsia”, on May 11.
The hybrid event was co-chaired by DAV Vice President Dr. NguyenHung Son and KAS Vietnam Resident Representative Florian Constantin Feyerabend.It brought together more than 150 participants on the ground and online.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son welcomed theworld leading sinologist Prof. David Shambaugh who joined the event as the mainspeaker, stressing that Vietnam has been actively seeking for bettercooperation with sinologists all over the world to have deeper and more comprehensivestudies on China.
Prof. David Shambaugh is an internationally recognisedauthority and award-winning author on contemporary China and the internationalrelations of Asia. He is the Gaston Sigur Professor of Asian Studies, PoliticalScience & International Affairs, and the founding Director of the ChinaPolicy Program in the Elliott School of International Affairs at GeorgeWashington University.
Echoing Son’s view, Feverabend emphasised the timeliness ofthis year’s event as it took place two days prior to the official launch of theASEAN-US Special Summit in Washington D.C to be hosted by US President Joe Biden andattended by leaders from the 10 ASEAN member states.
During his one-hour lecture, Prof. David Shambaugh analysedthe changing dynamics of US-China relations in Southeast Asia. Outlining thegeopolitical and geostrategic significance of Southeast Asia in US and Chinapolicy, he shared perspectives and views on the competition between the two powers and the approaches of Southeast Asian countries.
According to Prof. Shambaugh, competition between majorpowers will continue to linger in the region; however, the level of the rivalrywill be contained to competitive coexistence.
China Talk is a long-term cooperation project between theDAV and KAS Vietnam, held every two years. It helps expand the network ofdiplomats, sinologists and academics interested in Chinese studies both at homeand overseas./.
Continuing activities within the framework of the seventh Vietnam - China Border Defence Friendship Exchange, in the afternoon of April 23, Defence Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang hosted a welcome ceremony for a delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army led by his Chinese counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen. Wei Fenghe at Ta Lung International Border Gate, Quang Hoa district of Cao Bang province.
Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang emphasised the demand that China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty while replying to reporters’ question about China’s three-month fishing ban in the East Sea, including the waters of Vietnam, on April 29.
Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung has emphasised the significance of the upcoming ASEAN-US Special Summit, saying that the resolve of US President Joe Biden and ASEAN leaders to organise the summit despite uncertainties in Europe, especially the conflict in Ukraine, demonstrates the importance they attach to the relationship.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to the US from May 11-17 once again demonstrates Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of being a friend, a trustworthy partner and an active and responsible member of the international community.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reviewed preparations for the ASEAN - US Special Summit in Washington D.C on May 11 (local time).
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The 19th edition of the China Talk series, themed “US and China competition in Southeast Asia”, takes place on May 11. (Photo: KAS Vietnam)
