Vietnam's President Visits China for State Visit
The Facts
The president of Vietnam, To Lam, arrived in Guangzhou, China on Sunday to begin a three-day visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese officials.
This is Lam's first foreign visit since becoming president earlier this month, with Xi being quoted as saying the visit reflects the "great importance" Lam places on China-Vietnam relations. On Monday, 14 agreements between the two leaders were signed.
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
All neighbors have disagreements with each other, but China and Vietnam both realize that they stand to gain much from a peaceful and harmonious relationship. Vietnam is entitled to forge its own path on the world stage, and it clearly sees the benefits of expanding trade with China. The PRC will always look forward to diplomacy with like-minded nations.
Anti-China narrative
As the territorial dispute in the South China Sea grows more intractable, Vietnam and China are putting on a good show for the cameras, as Vietnam walks a tightrope between geographic integrity and economic prosperity. China's continued aggression against Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, and others over their dubious claims are ultimately pushing their neighbors away from Beijing.
