According to the wording of the report, the two former enemies are looking into the possibility of enhancing their current diplomatic relationship with a “comprehensive partnership” into a “strategic partnership”. During his first official visit to the Southeast Asian country as secretary of state, Blinken hailed the burgeoning ties between the two countries and expressed hope that bilateral relations could “rise to a higher level.” In response, Chinh described it as “possible” to bring relations between the two countries to a higher level.
After meeting with the prime minister, Blinken and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new US Embassy in Hanoi, which will be built with an investment of $1.2 billion. Blinken described the establishment of the new embassy as “another important step” towards “strengthening the vital partnership between nations and peoples.”
Marking the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the “comprehensive partnership” relationship between the two countries, Blinken will visit Chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong during his three-day visit to Vietnam on Saturday. Prime Minister Dinh assessed the phone conversation between US President Joe Biden and Nguyen Phu Trong last month as a “great success”. According to political analysts, the 10th anniversary celebration and Biden Truong’s phone conversation may lead to high-level meetings as early as July.
Blinken arrived in Vietnam on Friday night and will fly to Japan Sunday morning for the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting. The United States is making active diplomatic efforts to curb China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Cover image source: Getty Images
