To Lam has been elected as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, making him the most powerful figure in the country's leadership structure following the death of his predecessor, Nguyen Phu Trong, on July 19. Lam, who previously served as Vietnam's president and spearheaded a significant anti-corruption campaign, pledged to intensify efforts against corruption. His leadership is expected to maintain stable relations with Beijing and continue the 'bamboo diplomacy' balancing act between China and the US. Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Lam and emphasized the importance of political trust and cooperation between the two countries. It remains unclear if Lam will continue to hold the position of president alongside his new role.