#精品长文创作季#
Click "Follow" not to get lost, and you can receive more wonderful stories as soon as possible
In today's world, the speed of scientific and technological development is changing with each passing day, and the manufacturing level of chips, as the core components of modern electronic equipment, has become one of the important indicators to measure a country's scientific and technological strength.
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son's visit to the United States has attracted widespread attention. His visit was not a simple diplomatic visit, but a vision of cooperation to enhance Vietnam-US relations.
Bui Thanh Son specifically mentioned Vietnam's intention to cooperate in the field of semiconductors, raising speculation about whether Vietnam is seeking technological breakthroughs to enhance its international status.
However, the move has also raised questions that Vietnam may be secretly restricting China's development.
What is intriguing is that Vietnam has repeatedly turned to China for help over power problems in recent years, but this time it has shown goodwill to the United States, as if it is suspected of "taking revenge on kindness."
What kind of games and strategies are hidden behind this diplomatic drama, and how will Vietnam deal with itself in the gap between China and the United States? All these make people want to find out.
1. Electricity is the cornerstone of chip manufacturing
Chip manufacturing is an energy-intensive process that requires a stable supply of electricity and high-quality water. As one of the world's largest producers and consumers of electricity, China's stable power supply and reasonable price provide a strong guarantee for chip manufacturing.
In contrast, countries such as Vietnam have an unstable power supply and often face problems such as power outages and voltage fluctuations, which have brought great trouble to chip manufacturing.
Vietnam, a country that has historically performed well economically, has suffered from a steady decline in GDP growth in recent years.
Especially in 2023, its economic growth rate has fallen significantly compared with previous years, which undoubtedly casts a shadow on Vietnam's development prospects.
Vietnam's imports and exports are also sluggish, in stark contrast to the prosperity of previous years. The reduction in orders has led to the closure of many factories, which has undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to Vietnam's economy.
So, the question is, why is Vietnam's import and export trade market in such a predicament?
It is understood that Vietnam's export market is mainly concentrated in European and American countries, and these countries have been plagued by inflation in recent years, and their consumption power has decreased significantly, resulting in a significant reduction in Vietnam's export orders.
Vietnam itself is also facing the problem of power scarcity, which directly affects its productivity and production efficiency.
Due to the influence of climate and other factors, Vietnam's power supply problem has not been effectively solved, which has brought great trouble to the production of enterprises.
Electricity scarcity has become an "incurable disease" for Vietnam, and the solution to this problem is not complicated – and that is to buy electricity.
Vietnam and China have a long-term cooperation in electricity trading, so purchasing electricity from China has become the main way for Vietnam to solve its power problems.
Vietnam has alleviated its own power shortage and ensured stable production by purchasing electricity, while China can further develop its own power generation industry and achieve sustained economic growth by selling electricity. This cooperation is undoubtedly a win-win situation for both parties.
For Vietnam, in order to achieve long-term stable economic development, efforts need to be made on many fronts, especially the need to find a more durable and effective solution to the power problem.
Therefore, without China's power support, it will be difficult for Vietnam to make breakthroughs in the field of chip manufacturing.
Second, China is selling more than just electricity
China supplies electricity to Vietnam because of the close economic ties between the two countries, and Vietnam is dependent on China for electricity needs.
This is not only because of power trading, but also because China and Vietnam have deep cooperation in many fields.
The power shortage has not only affected the productivity of enterprises, but also increased operating costs, leading some companies to even consider divesting.
Although the Vietnamese government has made efforts to improve the power situation, the problem remains serious. Although Vietnam has tried to alleviate the problem by importing electricity, this is only a temporary solution and cannot solve the problem at the root.
Considering the chip industry's high dependence on power supply and the complexity of technology, Vietnam's current power situation and technical base are far from meeting the needs of the United States to make breakthroughs in the chip industry.
Lacking a stable power supply and necessary technical support, Vietnam is facing great difficulties in the development of the chip industry.
From this point of view, China is not only selling electricity, but also the basic conditions for Vietnam to help the United States make chips.
Therefore, in the current power supply and technological background, it is difficult for Vietnam to help the United States make a breakthrough in the chip industry.
Vietnam needs to first solve its own power supply problem and strengthen its technology accumulation and talent training in the semiconductor industry in order to lay a solid foundation for future breakthroughs.
3. An independent foreign policy
Vietnam seeks cooperation with the United States in the field of semiconductors, not only to earn foreign exchange through exports, but also to enhance its own scientific and technological strength, so as to occupy a place in the global semiconductor industry supply chain. Vietnam is rich in rare earths and other rare metal minerals, and hopes to use these resources to attract investment from semiconductor companies in the United States and other countries, promote industrial transformation, and change the situation of long-term export of low-end goods.
Vietnam, however, is highly dependent on China for electricity supply, posing a challenge to its ambitions in the semiconductor sector.
Vietnam sees an opportunity in the competition that the United States has been seeking to decouple from China in the high-tech sector, trying to capitalize on the tensions between China and the United States to benefit from helping the United States diversify its industries.
But Vietnam needs to wake up to the fact that the United States is not a completely reliable partner. When the United States chooses its partners, it is based more on its own interests than on friendship or assistance.
It is understood that the United States is actively courting Vietnam in an attempt to include it in its "Indo-Pacific strategy" and act as a pawn against China. However, the attitude of the Vietnamese side appeared to be relatively cautious and independent.
The Vietnamese side has made it clear that it is committed to establishing good relations with both China and the United States and is not willing to completely tilt toward the side of the United States in handling relations with China. This balanced diplomatic stance shows that Vietnam is not willing to become a simple tool for the United States' anti-China strategy.
In fact, Vietnam's recent moves are further proof of this. They even included two U.S. institutions on the list of "terrorist organizations," a sign of Vietnam's determination to defend its interests and sovereignty.
Vietnam knows that no matter how far its relations with the United States develop, they will not blindly act as a pawn of the United States, as the Philippines does. Vietnam adheres to an independent foreign policy and will not be easily exploited by other countries.
If the United States wants to use Vietnam to advance its anti-China strategy, it will probably face considerable challenges.
Vietnam has its reasons to seek cooperation with the United States in the field of semiconductors, but it also faces many challenges and risks.
Vietnam should firmly follow the path of independent innovation, increase R&D investment in semiconductors and other fields, and enhance its scientific and technological strength.
Prudently assess their own strength and external environment, formulate a scientific and technological development strategy in line with their own interests, and firmly take the road of independent innovation.
In this way, we can be invincible in international competition. In order to truly realize the dream of becoming a scientific and technological power.
Fourth, how should China respond?
In the light of Vietnam's recent behavior, how should China deal with Vietnam and the United States in the future?
Indeed, the U.S. is currently trying to decouple economically from China and may encourage countries like Vietnam to take a similar stance and reduce trade with the mainland.
This is indeed a considerable challenge to the mainland's economic development. Especially in the field of high-tech industries, if Vietnam follows the US side in setting a ban, the mainland will lose an important partner for cooperation.
Vietnam has chosen to cooperate with the United States, and while it may gain some benefits in the short term, it must also realize that the United States does not devote too many resources to a small country.
The reason why the United States attaches great importance to Vietnam now is largely because Vietnam is geographically close to the mainland and can be used as a pawn to balance the mainland.
But such a relationship is not stable, and Vietnam needs to weigh it carefully.
In today's increasingly globalized world, diversified development and multilateral cooperation are the goals that all countries should pursue.
If Vietnam really wants to achieve long-term development, it should actively establish cooperative relations with many countries, rather than relying solely on the United States.
For the mainland, while Sino-Vietnamese trade relations may be affected by the U.S.-Vietnam alliance, we have no shortage of other partners. After the end of the cooperation with Vietnam, we can quickly find new markets and opportunities.
Vietnam, on the other hand, will have to bear the consequences of its decisions, potentially losing a huge market and potential partners.
Therefore, we do not need to worry too much about the impact of the US-Vietnam alliance on the mainland. On the contrary, we should strengthen our confidence, continue to promote diversified and multilateral cooperation strategies, and work with other countries to build an open, inclusive and win-win international economic system.
epilogue
The fact that Vietnam intends to participate in U.S. chip manufacturing, yet is highly dependent on Chinese imports for its electricity supply, seems rather absurd.
Vietnam should be deeply aware that over-reliance on other countries' resources and technologies not only limits its own development space, but also makes it easier for itself to fall into a passive situation of being controlled by others.
The road to a truly strong country lies in independent innovation and self-reliance. Vietnam should actively invest in R&D, improve its core technical capabilities in the field of chip manufacturing, and reduce its dependence on external resources.
Only in this way can Vietnam gain a firm foothold in the fierce international competition and achieve true national strength.
Relying on other countries is not a long-term solution, independent innovation and self-reliance are the last word. Vietnam must recognize this point, firmly follow its own development path, and constantly promote scientific and technological innovation and industrial upgrading, so as to truly realize the prosperity and strength of the country.