Bangkok (VNA) - The official visit to Malaysia from November 21-23 by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam highlights Vietnam’s ASEAN-centric approach, positioning both nations as key players in counterbalancing external influences in Southeast Asia, scholar Kavi Chongkittavorn wrote in an article posted on the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS)'s website on November 22.
The scholar affirmed that as the first ASEAN member to establish ties with Vietnam in 1973, Malaysia recognised the potential of the country early on, and understood that overall regional stability and cooperation would depend on Vietnam’s integration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The article stressed that the visit is significant as it comes at a time when two leading ASEAN nations are navigating rapid geopolitical shifts.
It is noteworthy that both countries have a penchant for staying ahead of global trends. Vietnam and Malaysia employ a balanced strategy to manage ties with major powers like China and the US while maintaining excellent regional partnerships.
The Vietnamese Party chief's trip is expected to significantly boost Hanoi’s ASEAN-oriented approach and its “bamboo diplomacy,” the Thai scholar affirmed./.
