VNExpress-Sept 1
International media has continuously reported on the great chance Vietnam might stand to replace China as the world’s production center. ThinkChina, an English language e-magazine focused on China and powered by SPH Media Limited’s flagship Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao, said in an Aug. 8 report that “headlines such as ‘Vietnam’s exports overtake Shenzhen’ and ‘Is Vietnam the next China? have drawn attention in China’s media and online forums, reflecting anxiety that Vietnam might usurp China’s position as the world’s factory.” The report also cited a June study by German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung with the headline “Goodbye China, Hello Vietnam,” in which one manufacturer said: “Vietnam seems to be a better and cheaper China.” Meanwhile, Chinese news portal Sina said information that has continuously appeared recently to show the increasing foreign investment into Vietnam’s manufacturing sector, including reports saying Apple suppliers are in talks to produce Apple Watch and MacBook in Vietnam for the first time, Samsung prepares to produce semiconductor components in Vietnam, American chip corporation Synopsys expands operations in Vietnam have raised Chinese concerns that Vietnam might take over from China to become the world’s powerhouse. A Global Times report in May said, “recent Vietnamese media reports that business mogul Li Ka-shing invested billions in Vietnam’s infrastructure after retreating from the U.K. have surely sent shockwaves across Chinese market watchers.” Read more at: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/economy/chinese-wary-of-vietnams-potential-as-new-world-factory-4506416.html
