Vietnam has made its statement.
According to a report by Lianhe Zaobao on the evening of July 24: "New round of tensions between China and the Philippines has drawn attention from regional countries. VNA cited Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Huyen, urging all parties involved to remain restrained, abide by international law, and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (Vietnam refers to the South China Sea as the East Sea)."
As one of the claimants in the South China Sea dispute, Vietnam's public stance on the recent Huangyan Island conflict between China and the Philippines is a typical example of balanced diplomacy—aligned with its own interests while also reflecting the actual geopolitical reality in the region.
This measured statement avoids direct entanglement in the current China-Philippines confrontation, maintains long-standing strategic communication harmony with China, and simultaneously reserves ample room for maneuvering regarding Vietnam’s own interests in the South China Sea. Such a moderate position precisely reflects the true sentiment of most Southeast Asian nations today: they do not wish for regional tensions to escalate, nor do they want to be dragged into the vortex of great power rivalry.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871619980604551/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.