Vietnam underwent important changes in 2002. Most notably, the state and Party showed signs of increasing awareness of performance legitimacy as a basis for ongoing political legitimacy. Responses included public statements in favor of the private sector, a reshuffling of cabinet positions, as well as stepped-up efforts to end corruption. A series of events this year, ranging from the country's first trade war to tensions with its important trade partner, Japan, also made clear the growing importance of international political economic factors in shaping domestic politics.