China and Vietnam’s Railways are About to Converge—What Does it Mean for China, U.S. , Vietnam?

In December 2023, three months after the United States and Vietnam became “Comprehensive Strategic Partners,“ Vietnam welcomed the “China-Vietnam Community of Shared Destiny“ with a 21-gun salute of the highest protocol. The joint statement reiterated the “Two Corridors and One Circle“ framework and the cross-border standard railway connectivity between China and Vietnam after a year. The grand vision of the Pan-Asia Railway took a significant step forward, becoming the most tangible echo in Sino-Vietnamese cooperation. Connected by mountains and rivers with continuous economic and trade exchanges, why has there not been a high-speed rail link between China and Vietnam? What does the convergence of China and Vietnam’s railways truly signify? This is an effort to reshape the international landscape in a century of unprecedented changes. As Sino-Vietnamese relations ascend, who stands to gain the most? Geopolitical forces are in flux, with the U.S. seeking regional balance in technology and resources, while China aims for regional cooperation in trade and resources. The convergence of these forces often reshapes the future of a region. Is this the future we all want to see? Let’s explore this in today’s discussion; let’s begin now. In recent years, as the “Belt and Road“ initiative continues to progress, the “Pan-Asia Railway“ has been put on the agenda, serving as a crucial link in the connectivity between China and Southeast Asia. Once completed, this largest railway network in Asia will not only strengthen China’s relations with its neighboring trade partners but will also reshape its land power advantage through the new Eurasian land route, creating more viable channels for outbound and maritime trade. Clearly, any action capable of reshaping the world’s geopolitical landscape will face various obstacles, but it cannot stop the tremendous force of regional economic integration. In the midst of a new international order, just as the U.S., South Korea, and others are desperately trying to woo, Vietnam and China announce the construction of the “China-Vietnam Community of Shared Destiny,“ putting their relationship at the forefront once again.