In a significant move highlighting the ongoing significance of China to Vietnam, the country's newly-appointed leader, To Lam, has selected China as his first destination for an overseas visit. Lam, who recently assumed the role of general secretary of Vietnam's Communist Party, arrived in Guangzhou on Sunday morning after disembarking from a Vietnam Airlines plane. He is scheduled to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing over the course of his three-day visit.

The decision to prioritize China for Lam's inaugural foreign trip affirms the importance that Vietnam attaches to its relationship with its giant neighbor, even as it seeks to strengthen ties with the United States and other nations. Experts note that Lam aims to continue the strategy of his predecessor in maintaining a delicate balance between China, the United States, Russia, and other global powers.

Yu Xiangdong, the director of the Institute for Vietnam Studies at China's Zhengzhou University, emphasized Vietnam's commitment to maintaining strong ties with China, stating that Lam's choice of China for his first foreign visit signals Vietnam's deep-rooted interest in nurturing the relationship. However, he also acknowledged Vietnam's approach to not neglecting its relationship with the United States, highlighting the country's ability to sustain diplomatic engagements with multiple nations.

In recent years, Vietnam has elevated its diplomatic relations with the United States, Japan, China, and India to a comprehensive strategic partnership status. This move reflects Vietnam's efforts to forge strong alliances amid a growing economic and strategic rivalry between the United States and China. The United States and Japan, in particular, have actively sought to strengthen ties with Vietnam's communist government, marking a significant shift from their adversarial history during the Vietnam War.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Vietnam in December, the two countries pledged to build "a shared future that carries strategic significance," a declaration that was seen as a concession by Vietnam, which had refrained from using such language in the past. Additionally, Vietnamese coast guard ships have participated in joint drills in the Philippines, a country that has experienced territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea.

While Vietnam has had territorial disagreements with China, both countries have witnessed significant economic benefits from bilateral trade and investments. Chinese manufacturers have relocated their production to Vietnam, partly in response to US restrictions on exports from China. Furthermore, both countries signed an agreement during President Xi's visit in December to collaborate on railway projects, aiming to enhance trade connectivity between the two nations.

China continues to be Vietnam's largest trading partner, and Lam's visit to China underscores the importance Vietnam places on nurturing this key economic relationship. With Lam's visit, both countries have an opportunity to strengthen existing ties and foster better cooperation in various domains.

As Lam's China visit unfolds, the international community will keenly observe how Vietnam navigates its relationships with key global players and reconciles its interests in maintaining regional stability while pursuing its economic ambitions.