In Vietnam, President Emmanuel Macron Strongly Criticizes Geopolitical Superpower China's Aggression During Student Address
Amid criticism of Beijing's aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, French President Emmanuel Macron warned Vietnamese students on Tuesday, saying:
“Everything can change in a moment of emotion from a superpower.”
Macron is currently on a six-day tour of Southeast Asia, visiting Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam. Through this trip, he aims to position France as a “third way” between the growing tensions of the United States and China.
Speaking before around 150 students at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Macron said:
“The conflict between China and the United States is a geopolitical reality that poses a serious risk of major conflict in this vital region.”
He added that China must remember that freedom of navigation and maritime independence in the South China Sea are critically important:
“What’s happening in this region is a cause for concern for all.”
Macron then quickly criticized the United States, suggesting its policies are unpredictable:
“One day they wake up and impose tariffs depending on how they feel.”
With this remark, he portrayed U.S. policy as unreliable, and proposed France as a more dependable alternative.
The day before this speech, Macron visited a war memorial in Hanoi, dedicated to Vietnamese who died resisting French colonial rule.
Vietnam currently follows a strategy of balancing its relations between China and the United States. In this context, 21-year-old student Quang Bac said:
“Given the uncertainty around international student visas in the U.S., I would prefer to study in France because it’s much more stable.”
Another student, Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh, who spoke to Macron before the speech, described the President as “friendly and approachable.”
During his speech, Macron also urged students not to get lost in the ‘world of fools’ on social media.
He said:
“On those platforms, people quickly criticize others whose thoughts they don’t even understand.”
He added:
“I don’t believe all opinions are equal. Some people know more, and some know less.”
