Opinions
Resetting Vietnam - China relations
It seems to be that, commenting on an English-language newspaper, the writer wished to convey this message to the people of Vietnam. But it is already out of touch since China deployed the HD-981 oil rig in Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on May 1st, 2014. On June 6th, the Nanhai 9 oil rig, accompanied by geophysical survey ships, was once again dispatched at the edge of the unidentified estuary of the Gulf of Tonkin.
So, what does the writer mean by “the socialist comrades with the identical ideology” that both Vietnamese and Chinese have in common?
To pave the way for Beijing’s domestic and foreign policy goals, the so-called “Chinese comrades with the same socialist ideology”, without any hesitations, chose Vietnam - a socialist country under the rule of a single Communist Party - to implement their new breakthroughs in their East Sea (South China Sea) strategy by means of severely defiant and provocative actions. It can only be considered as “coerced comradeship”.
In an interview with La Croix Catholic daily newspaper (France), Head of the Asia Department at Foundation for Strategic Research (FSR), Valerie Niquet, stated that Beijing has been cementing its legitimacy on the basis of nationalism, which was meant to revive the dream of a Renaissance China. Such ambitions about such a great power are used to enhance the legitimacy of the Communist Party of China, which explains the reason why China has been extremely aggressive to its neighbors. This French expert highlighted that issues of maritime, energy resources, territories, and aquatic products were just a matter of reason.
Beijing has stepped out of its “hermit era” (era of “hide our capacities and bide our time” ). The trees of “peaceful rise” and “harmonious society” to mask its increasingly hegemonic and power abuse tendency are shedding all of their leaves. The term “peaceful rise”, first coined in 2004, evolved into the doctrine of “peaceful development”. It was adopted into the Political Report of the 18th China Communist Party National Congress (2012), pointing out that: “China opposes hegemonism and power politics in all their forms and will never seek hegemony nor engage in expansion”. This claim echoed a similar declaration in the 17th Political Report of this Party (2007).
The “peace” foreign policy doctrines ended with the era of Hu Jintao. The fifth-generation leadership under Xi Jinping is more anxious to address the new strategic goals by grasping the external opportunities to appease the internal unrest. Lately, Xinhua News on June 28th quoted president Xi Jinping’s statement in a national conference that called for China to reinforce its inland and maritime defense system in the context of the intense territorial disputes with neighboring countries.
Chinese ship crashed Vietnamese fishing boat near Paracel Islands
In the East Sea, the new-stage objectives of China are “de facto occupation and real exploitations”. Deploying the oil rig is definitely to probe and exploit the oil. However, apart from the oil exploitation, China aims to occupy the disputed sea area, legalize the 9-dash line (normally called as cow-tongue line in Vietnamese). The 9-dash line has recently been drawn up to 10 dashes. It demonstrated the irrational ambition of turning the East Sea into the backyard of China.
It is also a part of a larger strategy, along with the construction of artificial islands at Gac Ma (Johnson Reef South), and Chu Thap (the Fiery Cross Reef) with the aim of establishing Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East Sea, ultimately setting up “Chinese Order” in this crucial area.
In the meantime, China has adjusted its policies towards Vietnam, specifically, from wooing, courting to forcing and subjugating. That Vietnam’s protection of its sovereignty, jurisdiction, and EEZ in the East Sea in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982 is regarded as a barrier to China’s encroachment of the East Sea.
While protecting legitimate maritime interests, Vietnam should be careful not to fall into the Chinese trap and not to get its strategic chessboard into disarray. It’s high time to reset the relations with China on the new basis of putting the national interests on the prime priority. Vietnam should, on this foundation, identify an appropriate friendly relationship and long-term cooperation with China.
Vietnam’s policy can be enshrined in a 16-word motto: Let disputes be, let fights be, let talks be, let cooperation be.
At the same time, Vietnam needs to consolidate and broaden its strategic choices in foreign policy with due focus to suite with our country’s geopolitical position. Last but not least, a rearrangement of our economic house should be required./.
Translated by Tống Thành Công