Vietnam's Ruling Committee Re-elects Leader

Vietnam's Communist Party re-elected Nguyen Phu Trong to a second five-year term as general-secretary Wednesday. The official Vietnam News Agency reported the move.

The 71-year-old Trong pushed back a challenge to a seat on the 19-member ruling politburo from Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. Dung carried out a series of economic reforms during his years as prime minister. Those measures helped Vietnam increase foreign investment.

Dung also strengthened ties with Vietnam’s former enemy, the United States. This development led to Vietnam's signing of the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Dung also spoke out against China's increasingly aggressive expansion in the South China Sea.

Nguyen Phu Trong is considered a more conservative leader who supports closer ties with China. However, observers say he will likely to continue Dung's economic reform agenda and position on China's territorial claims.

Dung will continue as prime minister until later this year. Observers expect his replacement will be Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

I’m Mario Ritter.

Richard Green reported this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.