Chinese Scholar Outlines Three Expectations for Tô Lâm at APEC 2026
Chinese scholar Thành Hán Bình says Tô Lâm’s attendance at APEC 2026 in Shenzhen could help Vietnam share its development experience, link China’s and Vietnam’s consecutive host years, and advance regional cooperation on issues including AI governance.
Professor Thành Hán Bình of Zhejiang University of Technology in China told the Vietnam News Agency that Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of Vietnam, is expected to promote exchanges of development experience and build consensus by attending the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting and related events in Shenzhen, China, in 2026. His attendance could also help connect China’s APEC host year in 2026 with Vietnam’s in 2027.
Professor Thành Hán Bình of Zhejiang University of Technology in China speaks with the Vietnam News Agency.（VietVance）
Thành Hán Bình’s first expectation is that Tô Lâm will share Vietnam’s development experience with other APEC economies. He said Vietnam’s economic growth in recent years has drawn international attention, and its approaches to inclusive development, green transition and improving the quality of development could offer useful lessons for economies with similar conditions. He also mentioned digital transformation and innovation as areas for cooperation.
His second expectation concerns continuity between the two meetings. Vietnam plans to host the APEC Leaders’ Meeting on Phú Quốc Island in 2027. Thành Hán Bình said Tô Lâm’s attendance at this year’s meeting could help Vietnam and China strengthen exchanges and coordination. He also hopes Vietnam will host a cost-conscious, green and efficient meeting.
His third expectation is that Vietnam will propose specific initiatives to address shared challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, including artificial intelligence governance. Thành Hán Bình said the rapid development of AI makes appropriate rules and governance frameworks more urgent, and that Vietnam could work with China to develop relevant rules. He also welcomed a proposal by Vietnam’s ambassador to China to establish a mechanism linking APEC with relevant committees.
Source: VietVance
