In mid-August, media reported that Biden is expected to sign a strategic partnership agreement with Vietnam during his visit to Hanoi in mid-September in an effort to bring the two nations closer amid rising tensions with China.
"In our view, in handling relations with Asian countries, the US needs to give up the zero sum game and Cold War mentality, observe the basic norms governing international relations, refrain from targeting any third party, and avoid undermining regional peace, stability, development and prosperity", Mao told a daily briefing when asked about Biden's upcoming trip to Vietnam and the possible upgrade of diplomatic ties between the countries.
Last week, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said that Biden would visit Hanoi on September 10 to meet with Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and discuss ways to further deepen cooperation between Washington and Hanoi as well as explore opportunities to promote Vietnamese technology-based economy, expand people-to-people ties through education exchanges, combat climate change and enhance regional peace and stability.