lowyinstitute.org – MICHAEL NGUYEN  – Published 16 Dec 2019 14:00  

As chair of ASEAN and with a seat on the UN Security Council, Hanoi has a chance to turn regional attention its way.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s raising of the ASEAN gavel last month signalled not only Vietnam’s commencement as chair of the regional grouping, but also the start of a critically definitive period for its foreign policy in the South China Sea.

2020 is set to be a busy year for Vietnam, with several force multipliers for its foreign policy. Beyond its chairmanship of ASEAN’s Vision 2020 goals – predominantly stability in the region – Hanoi will also balance a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and potential international legal action against Beijing. While such diplomatic responsibilities come with significant pressure, the opportune timing provides Hanoi a chance to engage the international community in its maritime security interests. Tiếp tục đọc “Vietnam’s 2020 strategy: a year of diplomatic force-multipliers” →