US VP Harris seeks strategic upgrade to Vietnam ties, calls for pressure against Beijing in South China Sea
- US VP Kamala Harris offered Hanoi maritime security support in the South China Sea during her Southeast Asia tour to woo allies
- But while Vietnam has been an outspoken critic of Beijing’s sweeping claims, experts say it is still mindful of balancing ties with its neighbour
Harris also pledged Washington’s help in boosting the Southeast Asian nation’s maritime security, offering more visits by US warships as well as the donation of a third US Coast Guard cutter – subject to congressional approval.
“We will work closely with Vietnam to uphold rule-based international freedom of navigation, an issue that we take seriously, [including how] it relates to the South China Sea,” she said on Wednesday, during a bilateral meeting with Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
“We need to find ways to pressure and raise the pressure, frankly, on Beijing to abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and to challenge its bullying and excessive maritime claims.”
Journalists were escorted out of the meeting before Vietnamese officials commented on Harris’ suggested diplomatic upgrade. But Vietnamese experts said they were doubtful Hanoi would want to align its own geopolitical goals so closely with Washington’s, as a strategic partnership would signal a strong emphasis on bilateral military cooperation.
