China issues warning on Vietnam-Australia strategic relationship

New, closer diplomatic ties between Australia and Vietnam are prompting warnings from China against forming an “exclusive circle” in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Advocating group confrontation and creating exclusive circles is not in line with the trend of the times and is not in line with the common aspirations of regional countries,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference on Monday.

Although Wang did not mention Vietnam or Australia by name, he was responding to a question from China’s state-run Shenzhen TV station about an agreement signed between the two countries on March 7.

Longtime observers of Vietnam’s diplomacy say Beijing’s reaction to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) demonstrates its unease with Hanoi’s push to upgrade ties across the region.

In August, Vietnam signed a CSP with China’s rival the United States.

CSP is the highest level in Vietnam’s diplomatic hierarchy, and Hanoi maintains such relations with China, India, Japan, Russia and South Korea. CSP requires partners to cooperate on a wide range of issues, often including a military dimension.

A Joint Statement Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement on March 7, emphasizing that the two countries share a common vision for a peaceful, stable, independent and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

It also mentioned a joint commitment to “resolve disputes, including disputes in the South China Sea, through peaceful means and in accordance with international law, without resorting to the threat or use of force.” China’s increasingly aggressive claims to these waters are challenged by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said at a press conference on Thursday: “The upgrade of Vietnam-Australia relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership is a natural step in development and is in line with the level of relations between the two countries after the establishment of diplomatic relations. The establishment and development of more than 50 years is a step forward. For the common interests and aspirations of the two peoples, and for the peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity of the region and the world.”

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade did not respond to VOA’s request for comment on Wang’s remarks. Instead, the ministry cited Albanese’s statements from the date the CSP was signed.

“Australia and Vietnam have an ambitious agenda on climate change and sustainable development, digital transformation and innovation, defense and security, economy and trade, and education,” he said, adding that the CSP reflected “our collaboration, our strategic trust and shared ambition.” our region. “

“China is certainly worried,” said Ha Hoang Hop, associate senior fellow at the Yusof Issa Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. “In fact, China may be worried,” he told VOA Vietnamese in an interview on Monday in Hanoi. There is concern that Vietnam may move closer to the United States and its allies. But China cannot be offended because Vietnam’s primary goal is to build a safe country.” balance. “

Ha said the CSP “is good for both Vietnam and our comprehensive strategic partners, including China… The partnership is not created to create factions or cause trouble for countries in the region.” “Everyone realizes that This will only create a better environment for development cooperation and ensure peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region more broadly.”

The deal with Australia reflects “bamboo diplomacy” as Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party attempts to deal with rising regional and global tensions. Refers to the adaptable and resilient qualities of the bamboo plant.

Vo Duc Khanh, a law professor at the University of Ottawa who follows Vietnamese politics, told VOA’s Vietnamese service via email on Monday that while he could understand China’s reaction, he believed it was too early for Beijing to be overly concerned about Vietnam’s latest CSP. He pointed out that Hanoi recognized China’s “community of shared future” in December last year, whose goals are “common development” and “common security.”

“China’s comments [are] This is very much in line with its strategy of keeping Vietnam neutral,” said Vu Xuan Kang, a doctoral student at Boston College who specializes in international security.

“China does not want Vietnam to join any group composed of countries that China considers anti-China, because Vietnam may become a springboard for these countries to harm China’s interests,” Wu Xuan wrote to VOA via email on Monday.

“Therefore, Vietnam needs to be careful not to arouse too much suspicion in China to avoid unnecessary retaliation from China,” he added.

On March 9, Vietnam News Agency quoted Carl Thayer, an emeritus professor at the Defense College of the University of New South Wales in Australia, as saying that upgrading bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership will create opportunities for both sides to have more in-depth discussions on various issues. Vietnam and Australia noted that a majority of Australians support strengthening the relationship, particularly in education.

Thayer believed that Australia would prioritize cooperation and promote dialogue with Vietnam to help the two countries cope with future challenges such as climate change, economic instability, and world and regional superpower competition.