Aparna A Nair

The World This Week Focus Note #349, Vol 8, No 11, 22 March 2026

What happened?

On 16 March, the inaugural China-Vietnam “3+3 strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defence, and public security” was held in Hanoi, Vietnam. It was chaired by China’s Foreign Minister, the Minister of Public Security, and the Minister of National Defence, with their Vietnamese counterparts. “Coordinating Development and Security, Advancing on the Socialist Road with Unwavering Commitment, and Forging United Fronts to Confront Shared Challenges” was the theme of the dialogue. The meeting was convened with the aim of safeguarding political systems, promoting strategic collaboration and rejuvenating the global socialist cause.

What is the background?

1. A brief note on China and Vietnam relations
The Chinese Communist Party assisted Vietnam’s struggle for independence with ideological, political, and material aid against French colonialism. Vietnam’s communist party unified the nation as a socialist republic in 1976. They also defeated US forces with China’s support (1950-1978). The relations experienced a difficult time when Vietnam, backed by the Soviet Union, invaded Cambodia and ousted the China-backed Khmer Rouge. It led to animosity and resulted in the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1979. In 1991, normalisation of relations began under the slogan of “good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, and good partners.” In 2008, it evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership. The guiding principles were now that party-to-party ties remain central, and the countries celebrated their 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, joining hands for a “community with a shared future.”

2. Party ties and shared values
The Communist Party of China (CCP) and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) are rooted in Marxist-Leninist principles. They emphasise vanguard leadership, proletarian internationalism, and the socialist path. They strive against imperialism, revisionism, and “colour revolutions.” Vietnam’s leader affirms China as a “comrade and brother,” while China’s doctrine of “community with a shared future for mankind,” tailored to socialist states, guides the relationship.

3. The road to the 3+3 dialogue
In 2025, China’s President met with Vietnam counterpart to commemorate the 75th year of diplomatic relations. On this occasion, China’s President proposed six proposals to elevate the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and the "3+3 strategic dialogue" was one among them. This mechanism was instituted to strengthen strategic coordination on diplomacy, dialogue, and public security. It aimed to protect people and ensure regional security and stability.

4. The focus on defence, diplomacy and public security
The first aspect, defence ties, focuses on pragmatic cooperation in the maritime domain and border stability. It addresses separatism, cyber threats and natural disasters. Furthermore, the absence of major arms sales, prioritisation of mutual deterrence against external forces, and alignment with the socialist armed forces' ethos of self-reliance support regional stability without compromising sovereignty claims. With respect to diplomacy, Vietnam follows a “bamboo diplomacy” that emphasises flexibility and resilience, while China pursues a “strategic priority” with a multi-vector foreign policy. Furthermore, China remains Vietnam’s largest trading partner. The influence is exerted over the regional supply chain, infrastructure cooperation, and connectivity. The dialogue aims to usher in a “new golden era” of elevated partnership amid geopolitical flux. The third aspect is public security, which aims to safeguard the political system and prevent destabilisation efforts. Additionally, it aims to counter transnational crime via regular ministerial meetings. The focus is on political stability, citizen protection, information sharing and joining campaigns against crime.

What does it mean?

First, strategic alignment. The dialogue cements CCP-CPV supremacy by institutionalising ministerial engagements in diplomacy, defence, and public security. The dialogue called for a "united front" to counter “colour revolution” and separatism head-on, given global historical experience. It aligns with the aspirations of both countries.

Second, the dialogue offers both countries an opportunity to promote regional stability and security. The parallels are tailored to the external and internal needs of Beijing and Hanoi. South East Asia is increasingly becoming a theatre of a tug-of-war between the US and China. Hence, the countries resort to consolidating influence and reinforcing their positions.

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