Understanding the Party General Secretary’s conotation of 'Vietnam bamboo diplomacy'
In his first book on foreign affairs and diplomacy, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized that in the face of great changes of the times, Vietnam’s foreign affairs and diplomacy demonstrate ever so clearly the unique characteristics of “Vietnamese bamboo”: A strong root, a sturdy trunk and flexible branches under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
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| The General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that the current school of foreign affairs and diplomacy in Vietnam is very special and unique, imbued with the identity of the “Vietnamese bamboo tree”: a strong root, a sturdy trunk, and flexible branches. |
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s book on the Establishment and Development of Vietnam’s comprehensive and modern foreign affairs and diplomacy deeply imbued with the distinctive characteristics of the “Vietnamese bamboo tree” was launched in November, hence further cementing the leadership direction of the Communist Party of Vietnam, led by the General Secretary, in Vietnam’s foreign affairs and diplomacy in the new era.
A newly published article
This is an introductory and also General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s latest article on foreign affairs which is placed in the first part of the book and highlights the great contributions and important role of foreign affairs to the cause of construction and defense of the Fatherland.
In the article, the General Secretary affirmed that the current school of foreign affairs and diplomacy in Vietnam is very special and unique, imbued with the identity of the “Vietnamese bamboo tree”: a strong root, a sturdy trunk, and flexible branches.
The General Secretary explains that “a strong root” is the principle of serving the national interests and pursuit of an independent and self-reliant foreign policy on the basis of true strength. “A sturdy trunk” implies methods to create strength, among which the strength of solidarity is a vital factor. Vietnam’s strength is also rooted in its legitimacy, righteousness, humane behavior, faithfulness and respect for the rule of law, and conformity with the progressive trend of the times.
And “flexible branch” is the style, the art of tactful behavior, and the principle of “applying the unchangeable to deal with all changes”, especially in difficult circumstances, where complexities arise among different trends and among the needs to balance the common and particular interests.
The Party leader also points out the lessons learned and the main tasks of Vietnam’s foreign affairs and diplomacy in the coming time and expresses his belief that, despite facing numerous difficulties and challenges, the generations of Vietnamese diplomats and officials engaged in foreign affairs and diplomacy have nevertheless demonstrated their intelligence, ethics and core characteristics of diplomacy in the Ho Chi Minh era, succeeded, and learned from the foreign policy traditions of the Vietnamese people and continued to earn the trust, support and meet the expectations of the Party, State and People.
The consistent guiding ideology of Vietnam’s foreign affairs
When speaking of the value of the book, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Head of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung emphasized that the book contributes to developing and perfecting the Vietnamese revolutionary theoretical system, thereby expressing the Party General Secretary’s consistent guiding ideology on the pioneering role of foreign affairs. The General Secretary has determined that “foreign affairs and international integration are an important driving force in the cause of construction and protection for the Fatherland in creating and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment and mobilizing external resources to develop the country, enhance its position and prestige”.
Associate Professor, PhD. Vu Trong Lam, Director - Editor-in-Chief of the Su that National Political Publishing House, emphasized that the publication of this book contributes to systematizing the leadership direction of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in shaping and developing Vietnam’s foreign policy and diplomacy.
The General Secretary clearly stated that: “The paramount interest of the nation is the firm protection of independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity; protection of the Party, State, people and the socialist regime; firm maintenance of a peaceful and stable environment; effective mobilization and use of external resources for development, constant improvement of the country’s potential, position, and international reputation”.
The book also revealed that the General Secretary has conducted many meetings, state visits and held talks with Heads of state and leaders of ruling parties of other countries. According to Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, the General Secretary’s speeches, articles, and foreign correspondence have exuded the message of a dynamic, civilized, peace-loving, and democratically developing Vietnam, upholding justice and common sense, respect for international law, maintaining reasonable and compassionate behavior, being a faithful friend, a reliable partner, an active and responsible member of the international community, striving together for national independence, peace, democracy and social progress.
Diplomatic imprints imbued with Vietnamese identity
The final part of the book is also a very special one, featuring opinions of a number of experts, politicians, diplomats, and international researchers on General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s role and contributions to the formation and development of the foreign policy of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
In the book, Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai emphasized: “It is the profound philosophies and thoughts and extremely attractive diplomatic art that have created the General Secretary’s diplomatic style associated with distinctive characteristics of “Vietnamese bamboo”, meaning flexible but full of resilient bravery and steadfastness, reflecting philosophy and soul, character and spirit of Vietnamese people.
Former Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Hai Hau said that a Singaporean scholar commented that the General Secretary is a listener and doer who represents the best qualities of the Vietnamese people, being strong but gentle in speaking, logically reasoning, keeping calm posture and selectively dealing issues with principles. Mr. Pallab Sengupta, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India, expressed his wish that “the Communist Party of Vietnam will continue to develop under the ingenious direction of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong – an experienced, qualified and sincere leader, steadfast with the goal of building a happy, prosperous and socialist-oriented Vietnamese society”.
Meanwhile, former Japanese Prime Minister Murayama Tomoichi wrote: “In the context of an increasingly complex world and the trend of globalization, the flexible and persistent diplomatic policy initiated by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has been deployed, demonstrating the inherent characteristics of bamboo, which is bendable but strong, not backing down”.
It can be said that through those stories, memories and shared experience, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s diplomatic style has been vividly expressed and appreciated by the Vietnamese people, partners, and international friends, with trust.
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