Zhang Youxia’s visit to Vietnam received nearly head-of-state-level treatment: red carpet, military honor guards, and gun salutes.Vietnam’s news agency reported that Zhang Youxia’s visit to Vietnam was an “official visit.” (Video screenshot)
Beijing has been far from peaceful recently. From October 22 to 24, Xi Jinping, the leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), attended the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, and returned to Beijing on the midnight of the 24th. Notably, before Xi’s return, Zhang Youxia, a member of the CCP’s Politburo and vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently made a high-profile visit to Vietnam.
According to the Vietnam News Agency, Zhang Youxia was invited by Phan Van Giang, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, and Minister of Defense. Zhang Youxia led a delegation for an official visit to Vietnam from October 24 to 26.
On the 24th and 25th, Zhang received high-level hospitality. General Phan Van Giang hosted the welcome ceremony and held talks with him, and later, Vietnamese Communist Party Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong met with Zhang. On the 25th, newly elected Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong also met with him. Such treatment is rare, comparable to the reception received by Chinese Premier Li Qiang during his recent visit.
During the talks, Zhang did not mention the CCP’s leader by name and used unusually neutral language, expressing that “China values the traditional friendship between the two parties, nations, and militaries,” implying subtle, unusual messages.
In the meeting with Vo Van Thuong, Vo mentioned Xi Jinping by name, but Zhang did not respond, instead expressing happiness at visiting Vietnam as the vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and congratulating Vo on his new position as Vietnamese President. Xi had recently sent Vo a congratulatory message as head of state. What position was Zhang representing in offering his congratulations?
In the meeting with Phan Van Giang, Zhang stated, “The China-Vietnam relationship is special, a valuable asset fostered by the leadership of both countries across generations, contributing to the well-being of both peoples.” Again, there was no mention of Xi.
The content of Zhang’s meetings with three top Vietnamese officials reported by the Vietnamese news agency again signals shifts in Beijing’s power structure, with possible signs of Xi Jinping losing military control.
Why did Zhang Youxia choose to personally visit Vietnam? According to reports, during talks with Phan, they discussed maritime disputes. Phan Van Giang emphasized Vietnam’s consistent stance on resolving disputes peacefully and fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) based on international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, aiming to sign a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) in line with international law, benefiting all concerned parties. This is a stance Phan previously expressed to Xi during his visit to China in 2022.
Following the discussions, the two sides signed the "Letter of Intent on Enhancing Defense Cooperation" and the "Border Defense Cooperation Agreement" between the Vietnamese and Chinese defense ministries. Vietnamese media reported that this signals upgraded defense cooperation and deepened strategic ties between Vietnam and China.
In addition, on October 21, India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an agreement with China on military patrols along the disputed Himalayan border, aiming to end the military standoff that began with the 2020 conflict. This agreement will result in both sides’ military forces “disengaging” along the Line of Actual Control. It’s reported that Beijing made concessions to achieve this.
Furthermore, Xi’s speech at the BRICS summit in Russia did not include self-praise, subtle criticism of the U.S. and Europe, or mentions of maintaining the UN-centered international system. This shift, along with enhanced China-Vietnam defense cooperation and eased tensions at the China-India border, indicates a change in the CCP’s diplomatic approach. Is this shift driven by an internal crisis or an attempt to mislead the West?
Curiously, the CCP’s official media and military outlets have yet to report on Zhang Youxia’s visit to Vietnam, suggesting unrest in Beijing. Additionally, reports of the unusual appearance of two moons in China hint at the possibility of significant upcoming events in Beijing.
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