ABSTRACT
In many countries, the foreign ministry is the foremost actor that formulates, articulates and implements foreign policy. In contrast, in China, the Foreign Ministry is but one of many actors and is perceived to confine its role to that of an implementer of state-to-state relations. Within the hierarchical structure of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee, the highest decision-making body, makes all major policy decisions including foreign policy. The Party Foreign Affairs Coordination Bureau coordinates and manages the international work of organs directly under the CCP Central Committee and Party committees at the province, autonomous region and municipality levels. In the case of Vietnam, the CCP through the International Department (ID) played a key role in mending ties between China and Vietnam after the fallout following the 2014 oil rig incident.
