Vietnam’s newly appointed top leader, To Lam, is set to visit China next week in his first foreign trip since assuming the role of general secretary of the ruling Communist Party earlier in August, according to sources familiar with the matter. This visit underscores the strong ties between the two communist-led nations, despite occasional tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
To Lam, who also serves as the state president of Vietnam, is expected to arrive in China on August 18, where he will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior officials over the following two days. The visit, which has not yet been officially announced, is seen as a move to reaffirm the close economic and political relations between the two countries. Both Vietnam and China have well-established trade links, although they have periodically clashed over maritime boundaries in the energy-rich South China Sea, a key commercial waterway that Beijing claims almost entirely.
Regional and International Diplomacy
To Lam’s visit to China follows his recent diplomatic engagements with other regional powers. Since becoming state president in May, he has visited Laos and Cambodia, in line with his predecessors, and has held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including a phone call last week following his appointment as party chief.
This trip to China marks his first international visit as general secretary, a position he assumed after the passing of long-serving general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong earlier this month. While Vietnam does not have a single paramount leader, the head of the party is considered the most powerful position in the country, a role that Lam has now consolidated.
Political Implications
Lam’s ascent to the top position has been positively received by both Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden, with some regional investors hopeful that his leadership will stabilise the political landscape in Vietnam, which has recently experienced turbulence affecting projects and reforms. Lam, a general and former minister of public security, is expected to relinquish the presidency later this year, likely during the regular parliamentary session in October.
Before stepping down, Lam is scheduled to attend the United Nations General Assembly in September as Vietnam’s president and will likely meet with President Biden during this trip. This engagement is expected to further bolster Vietnam’s international relations, particularly with the U.S., at a time of shifting geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Future Leadership Prospects
All top leadership positions in Vietnam will be up for renewal in 2026 when the country’s parliament concludes its five-year term. Analysts and diplomats currently view Lam as the most likely candidate to retain leadership of the Communist Party, positioning him as a key figure in shaping Vietnam’s future domestic and foreign policies.
(With Inputs from Reuters)
