West OC Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congresswoman Michelle Steel released a statement following the visit of To Lam, the new Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, to China.

“For his first overseas visit since taking office, To Lam chose to visit his comrade in arms Xi Jinping in Communist China. Vietnam and China’s growing cooperation built on shared communist values should concern the Vietnamese people and all who seek freedom across the globe. President Xi referred to a ‘deep friendship’ between the two regimes - a friendship clearly built on increasing the CCP’s influence on Vietnam.

These two leaders have played a key role in implementing an authoritarian agenda in their respective countries – stifling free speech, jailing dissidents, and increasing state economic control. On behalf of my Vietnamese American constituents and those suffering under communist rule in Vietnam, I will continue to speak out against China and Vietnam’s trampling on the human rights of their citizens.”

According to reporting by the Associated Press, President Xi remarked that “as two ruling Communist parties in the world today, the two parties of China and Vietnam should…continue their traditional friendship…and jointly promote the development of the world’s socialist cause.”

Rep. Steel represents parts of Los Angeles County and Orange County, including the Little Saigon community, which has the largest population of Vietnamese anywhere outside of Vietnam.

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