Mechanism to build up China-Vietnam ties: China Daily editorial

The meeting between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung in Hanoi on Sunday underscored the efforts by the two countries to strengthen exchanges and deepen strategic coordination to speed up the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future.

As emerging economies, both China and Vietnam play significant roles in regional and global development. Their cooperation offers a model of partnership that balances national interests with regional prosperity and stability.

Wang stressed in the meeting that the newly launched ministerial "3+3" dialogue mechanism between the two countries and the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation should be used to deepen strategic mutual trust and strengthen development and security cooperation and coordination.

The "3+3" mechanism represents a significant move for the strategic partnership between the two sides. By bringing together their ministers of foreign affairs, defense and public security, this dialogue aims to address a broad spectrum of issues and regional stability. The decision to elevate this mechanism to the ministerial level underscores the high priority both nations place on their relationship, reflecting a mutual commitment to security and development.

The initiative is a strategic move to enhance the comprehensive strategic cooperation that has been fostered since the launch of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation in 2006.

The mechanism's establishment, which comes against the backdrop of a complex international landscape with intertwined crises, serves as a practical platform for advancing other regional initiatives that aim to promote cooperation and stability.

In an era where transnational crimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, the mechanism will provide a robust framework for cross-border law enforcement cooperation, helping both countries combat threats to regional security.

The collaboration between the two countries extends beyond security to encompass trade, investment and emerging fields such as the digital economy and green transformation. This is reflected in the agenda of the 17th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.

Close economic and trade ties between the two neighbors have been a key driver for the development of bilateral relations. China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner since 2004, and Vietnam has been China's largest trading partner in Association of Southeast Asian Nations since 2016. Trade between the two sides has exceeded $200 billion for five consecutive years, reaching $290 billion last year.

Amid the rise of protectionism and unilateralism globally, China and Vietnam are pressing ahead with industrial upgrading and digital transformation, positioning themselves to tap into new growth opportunities across key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, green energy, e-commerce and regional supply chain integration. By aligning their development strategies, both nations can further boost their economic engagement, ensuring the stability of supply chains.

Strengthened cooperation between China and Vietnam is essential for effective border management, crime prevention and addressing nontraditional security challenges. By enhancing exchanges and coordinating responses to issues such as cybercrime and transnational crime, both countries can better protect their national security and contribute to regional stability. Greater strategic, action-oriented consultation and dialogue will strengthen neighborhood and regional security, fostering a stable environment for shared development. The ministerial "3+3" mechanism represents a forward-looking approach to bilateral relations that prioritizes mutual benefit and regional stability.

China's newly adopted 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) offers substantial potential for both sides to advance pragmatic cooperation in trade, investment, green development and connectivity, as well as to implement cultural exchange programs. As the two countries continue to align their strategies and deepen their cooperation, they present a powerful precedent for how neighboring countries can work together to build a prosperous and secure future for their people and the broader region.

While some economies pursue "decoupling" and beggar-thy-neighbor policies to safeguard their own security and development interests, China and Vietnam have every reason and favorable conditions to demonstrate that security can be a cause for cooperation rather than confrontation, and development a driver for engagement rather than zero-sum games.