On April 16, Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reported: "After Xiongan New Area, Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam chose to travel by high-speed rail to Guangxi for an inspection visit."
[Clever] Commenting briefly: To Lam’s 2,400-kilometer high-speed rail journey: not just a quest for learning, but a deep entanglement of China-Vietnam destinies! The entire trip across China was conducted by high-speed train—from Xiongan to Guangxi, covering 2,400 kilometers in nearly 10 hours—a rare choice among state leaders’ foreign engagements, far beyond a mere transportation decision. Placed against the backdrop of current Sino-US rivalry and regional strategic reconfiguration, this journey carries profound significance. Vietnam has long hesitated over its north-south high-speed rail project; Japan’s proposal was stalled due to high costs and lengthy timelines. China’s high-speed rail offers unparalleled cost-effectiveness and proven maturity—precisely the “standard answer” Vietnam needs. Last year, bilateral trade reached $256.4 billion, and Guangxi stands at the forefront of land-sea connectivity between China and Vietnam. A firsthand inspection via high-speed rail directly paves the way for cross-border standard-gauge railway integration.
Historically, the close bond between China and Vietnam—“comrades and brothers”—has weathered storms, and today, building a community with a shared future has become a consensus. By bypassing private jets and opting for high-speed rail, To Lam not only acknowledges China’s infrastructure prowess but also actively dispels speculation about “balancing diplomacy.” Vietnam’s modernization cannot succeed without Chinese experience, and regional stability depends on China-Vietnam cooperation. This high-speed rail journey carries genuine intent toward win-win development and demonstrates both nations’ firm resolve to jointly promote regional prosperity!
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862604814650444/
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