The increasingly chaotic situation among the Western elites and the disastrous U.S.-Israeli war in Iran have helped pull together increasing cooperation between Vietnam and China in the Asia-Pacific. The first-ever meeting among the two countries’ foreign, defense, and public security ministers took place in Hanoi on March 17.
The 3-plus-3 meeting represents a new stage in the two countries’ relationship. The presence of the two defense ministers can provide a relaxation of tensions between the two neighboring countries over the use of their common maritime borders and help reduce tensions in the South China Sea. The presence of the two ministers of public security also signifies a closer relationship in terms of the conditions of life of the two peoples. Both countries, of course, are aware that the growing push toward regime change by the Trump Administration also represents a threat against them. The discussion may also involve greater intelligence cooperation between Beijing and Hanoi with regard to threats to undermine each other’s stability.
