Since Vietnam and China normalised their ties in 1991, high-ranking leaders of the two countries have arrived at a common awareness on various issues with a view to promoting a relationship based on friendship, equality and mutual benefit. However, in reality, a big gap still exists between awareness and practice. There is a certain ‘phase deviation’, which leads to differences in assessment and approaches to the development of bilateral relations. Two-way trade has developed in a fast but imbalanced manner. China’s direct investments in Vietnam have not been on par with its potential. Many projects have been contracted, but a number of issues in terms of quality, technology and environmental protection have surfaced. Two out of three territorial and border issues have been settled, but the one concerning the Biển Ðông (the East Sea, or South China Sea) has become increasingly complicated. At present, the Vietnam–China relationship has entered a new phase of development with new requirements and demands as well as new opportunities and challenges.
General Statistics Office. 2011–2018. ‘Statistics on the Value of Export Goods Categorised by Groups of Country, Countries and Territories over the Years’, https://www.gso.gov.vn/default.aspx?tabid=720 (accessed on 29May2018).
CungNguyễn ÐìnhThắngTrâ‘n Toàn. 2015. ‘Trade Dependence between Vietnam and China: Analysis from Indicators Cited in the Proceedings of the “Socio-economic Forecast for the Planning in the Context of International Integration” Conference’, National Center for Socio-Economic Information and Forecast, The Ministry of Planning and Investment, Hong Duc Publishing House, 56.
