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September 11, 2023

In Vietnam, Biden Denies Strengthening Ties with Vietnam Is an Effort to "Contain" China
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After departing the G20, Biden traveled to Hanoi for talks with
Vietnam's president and prime minister. Biden insisted his visit was not
aimed at countering China's influence in Southeast Asia.

President Joe Biden: "That's what this trip is all about, having India
cooperate much more with the United States, be closer to the United
States, Vietnam being closer with the United States. It's not about
containing China. It's about having a stable base, a stable base in the
Indo-Pacific."

Beijing responded to Biden's visit by asking the U.S. to "abandon
hegemony and a Cold War mentality."

Biden's trip to Hanoi came as jailed Vietnamese climate activist Hoang
Thi Minh Hong marked 100 days since her arrest on what supporters say
are trumped-up charges of tax evasion. She's at least the fifth
environmentalist to face such charges in Vietnam in recent years.


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