Courting spurned neighbour tops Beijing's agenda from visit of Vietnam's Communist Party chief, say analysts

SINGAPORE: Washington’s refusal to grant Hanoi a “market economy” status provides Beijing with a timely opportunity to capitalise on its socialist neighbour’s hurt feelings and to shore up their closer ties through Vietnam’s Communist Party chief’s visit, say analysts.

Analysts believe China would want to sound out Vietnam’s newly minted Communist Party chief To Lam over the country’s foreign policy front and also to promote President Xi Jinping’s “Belt and Road” projects in Vietnam such as the Lao Cai — Hanoi — Hai Phong railway project among others.

Observers say the timing of the trip is crucial to note, given that it’s coming soon after Washington’s decision to classify Hanoi as a “non-market economy”, even if the visit was likely planned in advance. 

The decision on August 2 by the US Commerce Department to continue to classify Vietnam as a “non-market economy” (NME) sparked great disappointment from the Vietnamese especially after a period of tightening ties between Hanoi and Washington.

An upgrade to market economy status would have made Vietnamese exports to the US significantly cheaper, according to experts.

“Hanoi is clearly angered by the decision,” said Professor Zachary Abuza from the National War College in Washington, adding that he was expecting Chinese leaders to capitalise on hurt feelings.

“They are always whispering in the ears of the Vietnamese that the United States cannot be trusted and that the country should remain committed to its socialist foreign policy,” he told CNA. 

At the same time, Beijing will take the opportunity to evaluate Mr Lam’s leadership, Mr Abuza added. 

“To Lam has made multiple visits to China and is a known quantity to the Chinese leadership. China obviously wants to sound