33rd Diplomatic Conference: Party, People-to-People Diplomacy Play Pioneering Role

The Communist Party of Vietnam reiterated the indispensable role of Party diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges in enhancing the nation's comprehensive national strength at the 33rd Diplomatic Conference. Party General Secretary and State President To Lam asserted that diplomacy is now a component of national comprehensive strength and dissected Party diplomacy's strategic role across three levels: building the political foundation for the broader diplomatic landscape, feeding policy formulation, and safeguarding ideological footing and strategic autonomy. The conference served as a platform to discuss Vietnam's diplomatic strategies to fully safeguard national interests and usher in a new era of development amidst a complex international landscape. Ministers in attendance stressed the importance of resolutely defending the nation's sovereignty and national interests. Under Vietnam's one-party system, the Party leadership is the supreme decision-making body for foreign policy, and Party diplomacy plays a central role in directing the nation's overall diplomatic strategy. This serves as a crucial means to enhance Vietnam's influence in the international arena while maintaining domestic political stability. Furthermore, people-to-people diplomacy is a grassroots effort to gain international understanding and support, contributing to the enhancement of soft power. The discussions at this conference are thought to reflect Vietnam's efforts to solidify its position in the international community and strengthen its stance, particularly in its relations with China, as it continues its economic growth.