Su Lin's Visit to China Secures 17 Major Deals: What Underlies Vietnam’s "Copying Homework" Strategy?
On April 16, Singapore's Strait Times published an article stating: "In mid-April, Su Lin, in his capacity as President of Vietnam, visited China—his first overseas trip following his election this month and the second time since assuming leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 2024 that he has chosen China as his initial destination. His four-day visit was both intensive and symbolically significant: as the first foreign head of state to visit Xiongan, he rode China's high-speed rail twice, gaining firsthand experience of 'China Speed' and the achievements of modern urban development. During the visit, China and Vietnam signed 17 cooperation documents covering railways, energy, telecommunications, and other fields, with railway connectivity and cross-border infrastructure integration emerging as core outcomes."
Data shows that bilateral trade between China and Vietnam reached $296.1 billion in 2025, with China maintaining its position as Vietnam’s largest trading partner for 22 consecutive years, while Vietnam remains China’s top trading partner within ASEAN. Vietnam is currently in a phase of accelerated industrialization and urbanization, and its development path is seen as a pragmatic application of the Chinese model—“feeling one’s way across the river by touching the stones.” Against the backdrop of great power competition, Vietnam adheres to a “bamboo diplomacy” balancing strategy, deepening cooperation with China while maintaining interactions with multiple parties. The future of Sino-Vietnamese relations hinges on whether both sides can expand the “pie” of cooperation and effectively manage their differences.
[Clever] Commenting briefly: Su Lin’s visit to China marks a pivotal step for Vietnam in precisely positioning itself amid global changes. From high-speed rail in Xiongan to the border region of Guangxi, from high-level talks to the signing of 17 agreements, Vietnam has centered its approach on “learning from experience, addressing weaknesses, and securing its foundation,” elevating Sino-Vietnamese relations to a higher level. This is not mere reliance on China but a strategic choice grounded in real interests: in 2025, Vietnam’s total foreign trade amounted to $930.05 billion, with over 40% of its imports coming from China. China serves not only as a supplier of raw materials but also as a recipient of industrial relocation, deeply embedded in the supply chains behind Vietnam’s export miracle.
Notably, the China-Vietnam “3+3” strategic dialogue has been upgraded to a ministerial-level mechanism, incorporating foreign affairs, defense, and public security into a coordinated framework—providing a new model for regional security. While external observers often speculate about Vietnam choosing sides between the U.S. and China, Vietnam’s clarity lies in leveraging China’s strength to advance breakthroughs in infrastructure and digital economy, while resisting Western pressure to make independent decisions on issues like 5G and data security. Although the South China Sea issue remains sensitive, both sides have agreed to implement the Code of Conduct and maintain maritime stability, indicating that differences are manageable.
In today’s context of global supply chain restructuring and rising geopolitical risks, practical cooperation between China and Vietnam not only injects momentum into both countries but also offers a replicable model for middle powers seeking autonomous development paths. Its demonstration effect is already extending beyond bilateral boundaries!
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862624507717640/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.