Opportunities and Challenges of China’s Economic and Political Development Under the Third Term of Xi Leadership: A Viewpoint of Vietnam

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) signifies a pivotal juncture in China’s political evolution, with Xi Jinping becoming the first leader since Deng Xiaoping to extend his leadership beyond two terms. This development heralds significant shifts in China’s foreign and domestic policy landscape. This scholarly work is structured into four segments. It first examines the strategic framework of Xi Jinping’s third term, emphasizing both national and global aspirations amid the backdrop of comprehensive Sino-American competition. Following this, the analysis delineates the uniform perception across Vietnam’s leadership, civil society, and market sectors regarding China’s ambitions and the “Chinese Dream” during Xi’s third tenure. Next, building on these perceptions, the paper identifies the potential opportunities and challenges confronting Vietnam in this new era. Lastly, it articulates Vietnam’s strategic political and economic responses to leverage the opportunities presented by China while addressing the challenges that arise.