Dr. Nguyen Hong Hai, a researcher at the Centre for Policy Futures under the University of Queensland in Australia. In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Hai stressed that the “bamboo diplomacy” is also the diplomaticphilosophy of Vietnam.
The idea of “bamboo diplomacy” was first coined by the leader of the CommunistParty of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, at the 29th diplomacy conference in 2016, during which he highlighted the importance of diplomacy in maintaining peace, preventingconflict, and fostering international cooperation in the context of the rapidlychanging world.
According to Dr. Hai, in order to coin the idea, the Party leader deeply analysed the characteristics of "Vietnamese bamboo".
This diplomacy always upholds the spirit of tolerance, peace and humanity inbehaviour; and flexibility in strategy in order to defence the nation andensure national security for people, Hai said.
It also reflects the nation's resilience and solidarity traditionin maintaining its independence and resisting foreign invaders, Hai said,adding that although tolerant and advocating reconciliation, Vietnam alwaysremains steadfast and resolute in the principle of fighting against foreigninvaders with the spirit of "rather sacrificing everything than losing the country and returning to slavery”.
According to Hai, this diplomacy also features Ho Chi Minh'sideology and diplomatic style, which is a combination between the nation'stradition and culture, the quintessence of humanity, and the practice of his revolutionarycareer.
Inforeign affairs, the leader always considered the interests of the nation and people as the core issue, and did everything for the sake of the nation, Hai stressed, adding that to do this, it is necessaryto strictly follow the principle “taking the unchanging to deal with the changing" – which is also a feature of the bamboo diplomacy.
Hai also mentioned Vietnam’s development and internationalposition since the Communist Party of Vietnam carried out the Doi Moi (renewal)process, highlighting the great contributions of the diplomatic work to the cause.
It can be seen that Vietnam's diplomacy from history to modernity and inpractice today has reflected these characteristics. In other words, Vietnam’s moderndiplomacy embodies the characteristics of Vietnamese bamboo, Haistressed.
He cited the success of the vaccine diplomacy ofVietnam in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and the country’s behaviour amidst instabilityand fierce competition between major powers in the region and the world tospotlight the bamboo diplomacy which has so far contributedto maintaining independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; creating apeaceful and favourable environment for the country’s development; and at thesame ensuring security, peace, and development in the region and the world./.
VNA
