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| Developments of the US⁃Vietnam Relations in the Context of the Indo⁃Pacific Strategy |
| China Institute of International Studies |
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Abstract The US has proposed and started to implement the “free and open Indo⁃Pacific strategy”, which will have a profound impact on the regional situation, especially the South China Sea issue. It is of great significance for China to pay high attention to the developments of the US’ strategy and the US⁃Vietnam relations, in order to ensure a secure environment, strengthen the relationship with ASEAN and safeguard the country's important period of strategic opportunity. In recent years, both Vietnam and the US have attached great importance to the bilateral ties. The US has enhanced bilateral political, economic and security cooperation, which revealed its strategic intention to shape Vietnam into an important partner to counterbalance China. Also, both countries share the intention to collaborate to contain China concerning the South China Sea issue. The US intends to upgrade the bilateral relationship, invite Vietnam to join the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, enhance military interaction to deter Chinese actions in the South China Sea, etc. However, Vietnam has to take into account ASEAN's concern about the US Indo⁃Pacific strategy. The country will continue to rely on the US support to deal with the South China Sea issue, albeit in a low⁃key manner. Vietnam does not want to commit itself to a rigid anti⁃China bloc or to adopt an openly confrontational approach in dealing with China. In nature, the country will not support the US strategy at the cost of its own national interests.
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2019, Vol. 27 
