I see, my friend. This is just a my individual suggestion in the case China have attacked Vietnam-occupied islands. You know that, the economic weapon will result in a heavy loss for enemy. But the best way to protect our nation is to improve economic development and military strength because enemies have to think twice when attack us.
Vietnam have gained independence after a thousand years of Chinese domination, and other wars against Mongolia, France, Japan and USA. We know the strategy to protect without superpower intervene.
I understand this general negative emotion towards CN among VN people. Just that as I said what you or your fellow countryman have suggested so far (ally with a big power; marine police's "sea wolves" tactic) may not be viable and serves the best interests of VN, and so the strategy needs some rethinking.
If the policy makers of VN ask for advices, what would you offer? May I offer my opinions as follow:
- Naturally keeping a fair size of military is necessary, we don't live in fairy tales. But how? I would say in order to kill two birds with one stone, we should reinvest our defense spend into our own defense industries, which have long value chains and can drive development in other industries thru ripple effect. Details? Let's further discuss. Action now? Reduce overseas purchase to a minimum. Don't ruin economic development for the sake of building defense, that's principle.
- Easier said than done, weak industrial base not big enough to support immediate need. Then you have to re-evaluate your need, that's the tricky part.
- The threat arises from territorial dispute from the east, hence from the sea. VN industrial base can't build navy or air-force immediately. On the other hand, if threat/challenge comes from west i.e. land, VN army and its military industries can deal with easily. VN should find a way to swap this direction of threat.
- The threat arises from territorial dispute, the rocks. Are these rocks vital to VN's business/security? Whether yes por no, seems flaming nationalism is a factor that makes the sovereignty an untouchable agenda. But think twice, serving national interests is the key objective, nothing is untouchable.
- Who is threat coming from? China of course. Analyse it. Say both are communist countries hence .... , China has vested interests in the whole of Indo-China peninsula hence ..., etc.
I believe Yu Zhengsheng and his counterpart in VN are way smarter than me, hope they see the bigger picture and find a negotiate a win-win result. During the mean time, we can continue to play strategist, maybe we can influence them, who knows...
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. Therefore, the bypass sea lane could harm our enemy's economy.
