Vietnam’s President Strengthens Ties With Japan Amid South China Sea Tensions

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong’s recent visit to Japan has highlighted the Southeast Asian country’s growing importance among nations concerned about Beijing’s behavior, including its maritime claims in the South China Sea. Located in the eastern part of the Indochina Peninsula, Vietnam shares borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia and has coastlines along the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea. As a significant economic player in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has become attractive for Western countries looking to diversify their supply chains and mitigate strategic risks. It also plays an essential role in the global supply chain for some world-leading companies....