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China, Vietnam: Military Talks Cut Short Over Disputed Waters
https://worldview.stratfor.com/arti...witter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article
After months spent slowly improving their relationship, China and Vietnam may be heading toward another faceoff. One June 20, China reportedly cut short a closed-door military discussion with Vietnam about the disputed South China Sea. The talks were intended to last through June 22, with officials hoping to continue mending fences since tensions spiked between the two countries in 2014 over China's deployment of a deep-sea oil rig near the disputed Paracel Islands. Despite attempts by both sides to downplay the canceled meeting, the situation between China and Vietnam in the South China Sea may escalate.
The two countries have been largely amicable toward each other during the past year. China softened its approach to dealing with the South China Sea's other claimants after a landmark ruling by the international Permanent Court of Arbitration. And Hanoi has recalibrated its approach as well, because of an uncertain regional commitment by the United States and instability in the Philippines, another vocal opponent to China's claim to the South China Sea. But neither China nor Vietnam have backed down on sovereignty claims, and they've made little progress managing disputes such as the arrangement between China and the Philippines near the Scarborough Shoal. China has continued to militarize its occupied and reclaimed areas. And Vietnam, despite being more subtle in its diplomatic maneuvers until recently, has also pursued its own island reclamation projects around the Spratly Islands, while developing defense partnerships with Chinese rivals such as the United States, Japan and India.
Vietnam's defense partnerships appear to have played a role in the cancellation of the June 20 meeting, with Chinese officials reportedly expressing displeasure at Vietnam's cooperation with the United States and Japan over the past two months. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited Washington and Tokyo, meeting with President Donald Trump and making multibillion-dollar deals in Tokyo. The Tokyo visit also comes amid increased security cooperation between Japan and Vietnam, which included the transfer of Japanese coast guard and patrol vessels to Vietnam and more partnering on maritime enforcement. Hanoi's outreach fits into a long-standing strategy of partnering with external powers to counterbalance Beijing, though Vietnam has carefully avoided directly challenging its northern neighbor. But as Washington recasts its attention toward Southeast Asia, and as Japan — and to a lesser extent India and Australia — eagerly pursues a greater security presence in the area, Vietnam's regional momentum has again put it in Beijing's crosshairs.
But the key source of contention in the June 20 meeting likely came from debates over energy exploration activities. Leading up to the meeting, Chinese military officials reportedly demanded that Vietnam abandon oil and natural gas explorations with foreign partners in the disputed areas of the South China Sea. Hanoi apparently refused the demand, leading to speculation that Beijing may once again resort to punitive measures. Energy exploration has been one of the main drivers of South China Sea tensions, because China sees any energy exploration in the disputed waters by Vietnam or the Philippines as a move to invalidate China's maritime claim. In the past, Beijing has used diplomatic pressure and maritime forces to suppress other claimants' foreign partnerships in the area. That pressure included the 2014 deployment of the deep-sea oil rig.
It's unclear what specific activities China was referring to in its most recent demand. In January, Vietnam partnered with U.S.-based ExxonMobil to develop a major natural gas project that would be close to the Paracel Islands. And Hanoi has other partnerships that are suspected to overlap with Beijing's claims, including an agreement with India's ONGC Videsh Ltd. from 2012 and the more recent involvement of Spain's Repsol. Until now, Vietnam and China appeared to have been showing restraint in the South China Sea. But as Vietnam continues to show little interest in ceasing energy exploration projects with partners other than China, it might only be a matter of time before Beijing moves against Hanoi.
Nixed China-Vietnam Meeting Highlights Illusion of South China Sea Calm
Incident is a warning that despite attempts to downplay the flashpoint, tensions could quickly escalate.
http://thediplomat.com/2017/06/nixe...-highlights-illusion-of-south-china-sea-calm/
By Prashanth Parameswaran
June 22, 2017
On Thursday, news surfaced that a China-Vietnam defense meeting had been unexpectedly canceled, reportedly due to private disagreements over the South China Sea rather than the logistical issues publicly mentioned by Chinese defense industry. If true, this would be far from surprising given the past record of saber-rattling between Beijing and Hanoi. But more broadly, it should also serve as a warning to the international community that despite Chinese attempts to downplay the South China Sea issue, Beijing’s actions could quickly help escalate tensions once again for one reason or another.
The incident itself broke out as China and Vietnam were due to hold the fourth iteration of their border defense friendship exchange program, which was scheduled to be held in both countries June 20-22. Though the lead up to the engagement had been proceeding as scheduled, with Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Fan Changlong meeting with high-level Vietnamese officials and both sides talking up recent advances such as an agreement inked on personnel training, on June 21 Chinese defense ministry told state media that Fan had cut short his visit and Beijing had decided to cancel the meeting due to “working arrangements.” Other news outlets quickly speculated that it could be due to disagreements over the South China Sea.
If this is true, this is far from surprising. Sino-Vietnamese saber-rattling in the South China Sea is not new. Of the four Southeast Asian claimants – which also include Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines – Vietnam has been in the South China Sea disputes the longest and has felt Chinese assertiveness the hardest, with Chinese troops seizing control of the Western Paracels from Hanoi as far back as 1974. For Vietnam, the disputes are just a slice of a centuries-old problem of managing its giant northern neighbor China, which occupied it for nearly 1,000 years from first century BC till tenth century AD.
Over the years, Vietnam has become by far the most militarily capable among the four claimants within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and, along with the Philippines (until recently), has tended to be the most forward-leaning on the issue within the region. This is despite feeling the heat of occasional bouts of Chinese assertiveness, with a recent case in point being Beijing’s decision to place an oil rig within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the summer of 2014 which sparked a crisis in the bilateral relationship. Despite this, both sides have continued proceeding with some confidence-building measures, including in the defense realm with the annual border defense meeting.
This round of Sino-Vietnamese saber-rattling could well be the product of simmering tensions that eventually came to a head. With the weakening of the Philippines’ South China Sea position under President Rodrigo Duterte, Vietnam has essentially become the sole forward-leaning Southeast Asian claimant in the disputes (See: “The Truth About Duterte’s ASEAN South China Sea Blow”). This has naturally impressed upon Hanoi the importance of strengthening ties with countries like the United States and Japan, and that exactly what it has been doing, even though Vietnamese officials have continued to carefully calibrate that with engagements with China as well (See: “US-Vietnam Relations Under Trump in the Spotlight with Premier Visit”).
But for China, which has sought to capitalize on the loss of ASEAN momentum on the South China Sea as well as what it perceives as a distracted United States, this is an opportune moment to put pressure on individual states – whether it be Vietnam as a claimant or Singapore as the ASEAN-China country coordinator – on their specific behavior and existing alignments under the guise of lowering tensions (See: “Beware the Illusion of China-ASEAN South China Sea Breakthroughs”). And ASEAN officials say that is exactly what some Chinese officials have been doing, even issuing warnings against so-called “unconstructive actions”. Carl Thayer, a Vietnam expert, told Radio Free Asia that China had also been pressuring Vietnam to stop energy exploration activities in Vanguard Bank in the South China Sea.
These contending viewpoints between Beijing and Hanoi were bound to collide at some point. Thayer noted that tensions could flare up if not properly managed, with China reportedly deploying ships and aircraft to the area which increased the possibility of a military clash. But more broadly, for the rest of the international community, this episode should also serve as another warning that despite Chinese attempts to downplay the South China Sea issue, the very actions that Beijing is taking to allegedly deescalate the situation could once again help escalate it sooner than one might expect.
This is also consistent with a broader pattern in China’s South China Sea behavior which I have termed “incremental assertiveness,” where temporary bouts of charm or signs of calm from Beijing have been followed by yet another round of coercion (See: “Will China Change its South China Sea Approach?”). In the context of Sino-Vietnam relations, it is worth recalling that just seven months after unveiling a new strategy for ASEAN-China relations as part of a charm offensive in Southeast Asia that was received with great fanfare, Beijing moved the oil rig into Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone in the summer of 2014. Though this incident is not nearly as serious as yet, it should give serious pause to those who are once again looking for the calm in the South China Sea that never quite sustains.
https://worldview.stratfor.com/arti...witter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article
After months spent slowly improving their relationship, China and Vietnam may be heading toward another faceoff. One June 20, China reportedly cut short a closed-door military discussion with Vietnam about the disputed South China Sea. The talks were intended to last through June 22, with officials hoping to continue mending fences since tensions spiked between the two countries in 2014 over China's deployment of a deep-sea oil rig near the disputed Paracel Islands. Despite attempts by both sides to downplay the canceled meeting, the situation between China and Vietnam in the South China Sea may escalate.
The two countries have been largely amicable toward each other during the past year. China softened its approach to dealing with the South China Sea's other claimants after a landmark ruling by the international Permanent Court of Arbitration. And Hanoi has recalibrated its approach as well, because of an uncertain regional commitment by the United States and instability in the Philippines, another vocal opponent to China's claim to the South China Sea. But neither China nor Vietnam have backed down on sovereignty claims, and they've made little progress managing disputes such as the arrangement between China and the Philippines near the Scarborough Shoal. China has continued to militarize its occupied and reclaimed areas. And Vietnam, despite being more subtle in its diplomatic maneuvers until recently, has also pursued its own island reclamation projects around the Spratly Islands, while developing defense partnerships with Chinese rivals such as the United States, Japan and India.
Vietnam's defense partnerships appear to have played a role in the cancellation of the June 20 meeting, with Chinese officials reportedly expressing displeasure at Vietnam's cooperation with the United States and Japan over the past two months. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited Washington and Tokyo, meeting with President Donald Trump and making multibillion-dollar deals in Tokyo. The Tokyo visit also comes amid increased security cooperation between Japan and Vietnam, which included the transfer of Japanese coast guard and patrol vessels to Vietnam and more partnering on maritime enforcement. Hanoi's outreach fits into a long-standing strategy of partnering with external powers to counterbalance Beijing, though Vietnam has carefully avoided directly challenging its northern neighbor. But as Washington recasts its attention toward Southeast Asia, and as Japan — and to a lesser extent India and Australia — eagerly pursues a greater security presence in the area, Vietnam's regional momentum has again put it in Beijing's crosshairs.
But the key source of contention in the June 20 meeting likely came from debates over energy exploration activities. Leading up to the meeting, Chinese military officials reportedly demanded that Vietnam abandon oil and natural gas explorations with foreign partners in the disputed areas of the South China Sea. Hanoi apparently refused the demand, leading to speculation that Beijing may once again resort to punitive measures. Energy exploration has been one of the main drivers of South China Sea tensions, because China sees any energy exploration in the disputed waters by Vietnam or the Philippines as a move to invalidate China's maritime claim. In the past, Beijing has used diplomatic pressure and maritime forces to suppress other claimants' foreign partnerships in the area. That pressure included the 2014 deployment of the deep-sea oil rig.
It's unclear what specific activities China was referring to in its most recent demand. In January, Vietnam partnered with U.S.-based ExxonMobil to develop a major natural gas project that would be close to the Paracel Islands. And Hanoi has other partnerships that are suspected to overlap with Beijing's claims, including an agreement with India's ONGC Videsh Ltd. from 2012 and the more recent involvement of Spain's Repsol. Until now, Vietnam and China appeared to have been showing restraint in the South China Sea. But as Vietnam continues to show little interest in ceasing energy exploration projects with partners other than China, it might only be a matter of time before Beijing moves against Hanoi.
Nixed China-Vietnam Meeting Highlights Illusion of South China Sea Calm
Incident is a warning that despite attempts to downplay the flashpoint, tensions could quickly escalate.
http://thediplomat.com/2017/06/nixe...-highlights-illusion-of-south-china-sea-calm/
By Prashanth Parameswaran
June 22, 2017
On Thursday, news surfaced that a China-Vietnam defense meeting had been unexpectedly canceled, reportedly due to private disagreements over the South China Sea rather than the logistical issues publicly mentioned by Chinese defense industry. If true, this would be far from surprising given the past record of saber-rattling between Beijing and Hanoi. But more broadly, it should also serve as a warning to the international community that despite Chinese attempts to downplay the South China Sea issue, Beijing’s actions could quickly help escalate tensions once again for one reason or another.
The incident itself broke out as China and Vietnam were due to hold the fourth iteration of their border defense friendship exchange program, which was scheduled to be held in both countries June 20-22. Though the lead up to the engagement had been proceeding as scheduled, with Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Fan Changlong meeting with high-level Vietnamese officials and both sides talking up recent advances such as an agreement inked on personnel training, on June 21 Chinese defense ministry told state media that Fan had cut short his visit and Beijing had decided to cancel the meeting due to “working arrangements.” Other news outlets quickly speculated that it could be due to disagreements over the South China Sea.
If this is true, this is far from surprising. Sino-Vietnamese saber-rattling in the South China Sea is not new. Of the four Southeast Asian claimants – which also include Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines – Vietnam has been in the South China Sea disputes the longest and has felt Chinese assertiveness the hardest, with Chinese troops seizing control of the Western Paracels from Hanoi as far back as 1974. For Vietnam, the disputes are just a slice of a centuries-old problem of managing its giant northern neighbor China, which occupied it for nearly 1,000 years from first century BC till tenth century AD.
Over the years, Vietnam has become by far the most militarily capable among the four claimants within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and, along with the Philippines (until recently), has tended to be the most forward-leaning on the issue within the region. This is despite feeling the heat of occasional bouts of Chinese assertiveness, with a recent case in point being Beijing’s decision to place an oil rig within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the summer of 2014 which sparked a crisis in the bilateral relationship. Despite this, both sides have continued proceeding with some confidence-building measures, including in the defense realm with the annual border defense meeting.
This round of Sino-Vietnamese saber-rattling could well be the product of simmering tensions that eventually came to a head. With the weakening of the Philippines’ South China Sea position under President Rodrigo Duterte, Vietnam has essentially become the sole forward-leaning Southeast Asian claimant in the disputes (See: “The Truth About Duterte’s ASEAN South China Sea Blow”). This has naturally impressed upon Hanoi the importance of strengthening ties with countries like the United States and Japan, and that exactly what it has been doing, even though Vietnamese officials have continued to carefully calibrate that with engagements with China as well (See: “US-Vietnam Relations Under Trump in the Spotlight with Premier Visit”).
But for China, which has sought to capitalize on the loss of ASEAN momentum on the South China Sea as well as what it perceives as a distracted United States, this is an opportune moment to put pressure on individual states – whether it be Vietnam as a claimant or Singapore as the ASEAN-China country coordinator – on their specific behavior and existing alignments under the guise of lowering tensions (See: “Beware the Illusion of China-ASEAN South China Sea Breakthroughs”). And ASEAN officials say that is exactly what some Chinese officials have been doing, even issuing warnings against so-called “unconstructive actions”. Carl Thayer, a Vietnam expert, told Radio Free Asia that China had also been pressuring Vietnam to stop energy exploration activities in Vanguard Bank in the South China Sea.
These contending viewpoints between Beijing and Hanoi were bound to collide at some point. Thayer noted that tensions could flare up if not properly managed, with China reportedly deploying ships and aircraft to the area which increased the possibility of a military clash. But more broadly, for the rest of the international community, this episode should also serve as another warning that despite Chinese attempts to downplay the South China Sea issue, the very actions that Beijing is taking to allegedly deescalate the situation could once again help escalate it sooner than one might expect.
This is also consistent with a broader pattern in China’s South China Sea behavior which I have termed “incremental assertiveness,” where temporary bouts of charm or signs of calm from Beijing have been followed by yet another round of coercion (See: “Will China Change its South China Sea Approach?”). In the context of Sino-Vietnam relations, it is worth recalling that just seven months after unveiling a new strategy for ASEAN-China relations as part of a charm offensive in Southeast Asia that was received with great fanfare, Beijing moved the oil rig into Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone in the summer of 2014. Though this incident is not nearly as serious as yet, it should give serious pause to those who are once again looking for the calm in the South China Sea that never quite sustains.
Viva_Viet
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With the fast growing of our Navy- Coast guard- air force, every one can see clearly the day VN taking control of the whole East sea- sub Mekong region-Malacca strait coming so close.
Now, every one realize that we r not just joking abt sub-Mekong empire, right ??
Now, every one realize that we r not just joking abt sub-Mekong empire, right ??
Viet
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That is infantile and will lead to nowhere. Imagine, we do the same. Because Vietnam is displeased by Cambodia, whatever the reasons, for example because Hun Sen increases defense and economic cooperation with China, we stop buying rice from the neighbor and stage military exercise in the Gulf of Thailand. Any foreign military intimidation will inevitably provoke to a military response by Vietnam.
We are a sovereign nation that is free in the decision and not a slave nor vassal that needs a permission from Beijing when traveling to Washington and Tokyo or drilling or fishing in our waters. Really, the world has changed. Time to move on.
Some news of the day
Speculation Vietnam wants to acquire 2 squadrons of Russia advanced stealth fighter aircraft Pak Fa. I think it will remain speculation it is too early VN focus is economy, unless something gets out of control.
Vietnam appoints a new Ambassador to Bangladesh. Actually not a major news, but there are some interesting events coming up. Such as this one, Bangladesh signs an agreement to buy up to 1 million tons of rice a year from Vietnam. The first shipment of 250,000 tons will arrive the country within 15 days, informs the Ambassador during the meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh probably needs more than 2 million tons rice a year to cover food shortages. Vietnam can deliver the amount without problem.
The Chairman of the Hanoi local government Nguyen Duc Chung, a strongman within the communist party with the rank of Major General, will lead a delegation for a visit to the US. A further step of US/Vietnam rapprochement.
Carlosa
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The Chinese position:
Restraint crucial for peace in S.China Sea
Source:Global Times Published: 2017/6/22 23:28:40
Vice-Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Fan Changlong has unexpectedly cut short his trip to Vietnam. The Chinese defense ministry told the Global Times Wednesday that the Chinese side canceled a scheduled high-level border meeting with Vietnam for reasons related to working arrangements. Foreign media outlets think the cancelation may be caused by a bilateral dispute over Vietnam's oil and gas drilling in disputed areas of the South China Sea. No official statement has yet been made by the Vietnamese side. It seems the China-Vietnam relationship will continue to be disturbed by the South China Sea dispute in future.
Since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte adjusted his country's South China Sea policy last year, the South China Sea situation has changed drastically. The dominant consensus is for countries in the region to ease relations and solve disputes through peaceful ways. The China-Vietnam relationship has also witnessed a positive momentum, with the maritime disputes between the two easing up. The situation should be cherished by both sides, as they can concentrate on domestic affairs and it is conducive to further expanding mutual beneficial cooperation.
A relaxation in the South China Sea situation is not in the desire of external powers such as the US and Japan which seek to turn the South China Sea into a place for geopolitical competition. They are more willing to see Vietnam and the Philippines make trouble for China, creating opportunities for them to interfere. They now have attached more importance to Hanoi after Manila changed its attitude last year.
The instigation of US and Japan will create an illusion to the South China Sea claimants that China cannot launch a counterstrike without scruples even if they cross the bottom line in the South China Sea under the backing of the US and Japan. Traditionally medium- and small-sized countries seek to survive by playing a balancing act between major powers. But the tactic cannot be used to solve sensitive issues otherwise they will face high risks.
Disputes between China and Vietnam can only be properly addressed through channels between the two countries or two parties. It must be pointed out that the economic benefits involved in the South China Sea disputes are not more than the potential economic interests a stable situation will bring to both countries. Besides, if there is a serious provocation, public opinion in either side won't allow their government to back down, meaning that countermeasures could be enacted at any cost.
China and Vietnam must avoid disputes spiraling out of control. History has shown that a showdown between two socialist countries will be particularly catastrophic as both have a strong ability to mobilize the public.
The two countries should take the advantage of their same political system to address maritime disputes. If this advantage cannot be unleashed, it may function adversely to intensify bilateral conflicts.
The US and Japan won't help Vietnam at any price in the face of a critical crisis. The interests of the big power always prevail in a game where a small and big country mutually use each other. Hanoi shouldn't mistakenly think Beijing will make concessions to it as the country is stressing stability for the upcoming 19th Communist Party of China National Congress. A framework for a South China Sea Code of Conduct has been reached and the China-Vietnam disputes should be addressed in an orderly way.
China resolute on maritime rights
By Zhang Hui Source:Global Times Published: 2017/6/22 22:28:39
Recent oil exploration and fishing activities in the South China Sea by China's neighboring countries, including Vietnam, have destabilized the area and undermined China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, Chinese experts said Thursday.
Vietnam recently decided to resume oil exploration in the disputed waters, after it signed a multi-billion-dollar gas deal with Exxon Mobil in January, the New York Times reported Thursday.
Vietnamese state-owned oil company PetroVietnam and Exxon Mobil are expected to extract gas for electricity by 2023, and the drill site is located in the Xisha Islands, the report said.
"Vietnam unilaterally broke its consensus with China, which involved shelving disputes and joint development, and its move is aimed at strengthening its territorial claims over the area," Liu Feng, a Hainan-based expert on the South China Sea, told the Global Times.
"Vietnam's illegal actions undermined the stability of the South China Sea, and violated China's sovereignty and maritime rights," Liu noted.
Other countries such as the Philippines are also eyeing the economic benefits in the area. In a speech in May, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that Manila intended to drill for oil in the South China Sea, Reuters reported.
These countries are emboldened by US support, as American energy companies and the US government are trying to hype the South China Sea disputes by getting involved in the issue, said Wang Haipeng, an expert on maritime and border studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
But bringing in companies from third-party countries would impede the settlement of disputes in the South China Sea, and will have an adverse effect on joint explorations, Liu said.
The unilateral development of oil and gas in the South China Sea by neighboring countries have surfaced from time to time for decades. Vietnam illegally licensed out 120 oil blocks in the waters of Nansha and Xisha islands in 1994. Malaysia seized Yuya Shoal and Boji Reef in the Nansha Islands in 1999, and began exploiting oil and gas and fishing resources in surrounding waters, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
However, tensions in the South China Sea have eased after Duterte took office in 2016, and Filipino fishermen resumed their activities in the Huangyan Island area in October 2016.
"The de-escalation of tensions in the South China Sea will not be affected by the illegal activities of some countries, as countries like Vietnam are aware that peace and stability in the South China Sea far outweigh the economic interests they are pursuing," Wang said, adding that the consensus reached by China and ASEAN countries provides a political guarantee for the area's stability.
Restraint crucial for peace in S.China Sea
Source:Global Times Published: 2017/6/22 23:28:40
Vice-Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Fan Changlong has unexpectedly cut short his trip to Vietnam. The Chinese defense ministry told the Global Times Wednesday that the Chinese side canceled a scheduled high-level border meeting with Vietnam for reasons related to working arrangements. Foreign media outlets think the cancelation may be caused by a bilateral dispute over Vietnam's oil and gas drilling in disputed areas of the South China Sea. No official statement has yet been made by the Vietnamese side. It seems the China-Vietnam relationship will continue to be disturbed by the South China Sea dispute in future.
Since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte adjusted his country's South China Sea policy last year, the South China Sea situation has changed drastically. The dominant consensus is for countries in the region to ease relations and solve disputes through peaceful ways. The China-Vietnam relationship has also witnessed a positive momentum, with the maritime disputes between the two easing up. The situation should be cherished by both sides, as they can concentrate on domestic affairs and it is conducive to further expanding mutual beneficial cooperation.
A relaxation in the South China Sea situation is not in the desire of external powers such as the US and Japan which seek to turn the South China Sea into a place for geopolitical competition. They are more willing to see Vietnam and the Philippines make trouble for China, creating opportunities for them to interfere. They now have attached more importance to Hanoi after Manila changed its attitude last year.
The instigation of US and Japan will create an illusion to the South China Sea claimants that China cannot launch a counterstrike without scruples even if they cross the bottom line in the South China Sea under the backing of the US and Japan. Traditionally medium- and small-sized countries seek to survive by playing a balancing act between major powers. But the tactic cannot be used to solve sensitive issues otherwise they will face high risks.
Disputes between China and Vietnam can only be properly addressed through channels between the two countries or two parties. It must be pointed out that the economic benefits involved in the South China Sea disputes are not more than the potential economic interests a stable situation will bring to both countries. Besides, if there is a serious provocation, public opinion in either side won't allow their government to back down, meaning that countermeasures could be enacted at any cost.
China and Vietnam must avoid disputes spiraling out of control. History has shown that a showdown between two socialist countries will be particularly catastrophic as both have a strong ability to mobilize the public.
The two countries should take the advantage of their same political system to address maritime disputes. If this advantage cannot be unleashed, it may function adversely to intensify bilateral conflicts.
The US and Japan won't help Vietnam at any price in the face of a critical crisis. The interests of the big power always prevail in a game where a small and big country mutually use each other. Hanoi shouldn't mistakenly think Beijing will make concessions to it as the country is stressing stability for the upcoming 19th Communist Party of China National Congress. A framework for a South China Sea Code of Conduct has been reached and the China-Vietnam disputes should be addressed in an orderly way.
China resolute on maritime rights
By Zhang Hui Source:Global Times Published: 2017/6/22 22:28:39
Recent oil exploration and fishing activities in the South China Sea by China's neighboring countries, including Vietnam, have destabilized the area and undermined China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, Chinese experts said Thursday.
Vietnam recently decided to resume oil exploration in the disputed waters, after it signed a multi-billion-dollar gas deal with Exxon Mobil in January, the New York Times reported Thursday.
Vietnamese state-owned oil company PetroVietnam and Exxon Mobil are expected to extract gas for electricity by 2023, and the drill site is located in the Xisha Islands, the report said.
"Vietnam unilaterally broke its consensus with China, which involved shelving disputes and joint development, and its move is aimed at strengthening its territorial claims over the area," Liu Feng, a Hainan-based expert on the South China Sea, told the Global Times.
"Vietnam's illegal actions undermined the stability of the South China Sea, and violated China's sovereignty and maritime rights," Liu noted.
Other countries such as the Philippines are also eyeing the economic benefits in the area. In a speech in May, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that Manila intended to drill for oil in the South China Sea, Reuters reported.
These countries are emboldened by US support, as American energy companies and the US government are trying to hype the South China Sea disputes by getting involved in the issue, said Wang Haipeng, an expert on maritime and border studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
But bringing in companies from third-party countries would impede the settlement of disputes in the South China Sea, and will have an adverse effect on joint explorations, Liu said.
The unilateral development of oil and gas in the South China Sea by neighboring countries have surfaced from time to time for decades. Vietnam illegally licensed out 120 oil blocks in the waters of Nansha and Xisha islands in 1994. Malaysia seized Yuya Shoal and Boji Reef in the Nansha Islands in 1999, and began exploiting oil and gas and fishing resources in surrounding waters, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
However, tensions in the South China Sea have eased after Duterte took office in 2016, and Filipino fishermen resumed their activities in the Huangyan Island area in October 2016.
"The de-escalation of tensions in the South China Sea will not be affected by the illegal activities of some countries, as countries like Vietnam are aware that peace and stability in the South China Sea far outweigh the economic interests they are pursuing," Wang said, adding that the consensus reached by China and ASEAN countries provides a political guarantee for the area's stability.
Last edited:
Carlosa
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Yes, it is infantile, but that's how bullies do things.
Carlosa
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There is actually no speculation at all about that, just a made up (invented) article from Da Viet, both Da Viet and Soha.vn make up untrue stories all the time in order to print articles. The Russians already said that is not true, the plane is still in development and testing, nobody is talking about foreign orders and anyway, the plane has not been authorized for export and it would not be anyway until the 2020's after Russia get enough planes first.
jhungary
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For some reason I wasn't tagged when you quote me, so I missed your post...(They need to seriously think about this tagging issue....been missing a lot of post this way)
Anyway, no offend taken
Just thought that you don't know what I meant and meant to clarify (basically the same thing you do lol...Yeah, LCS is now down to 350 mil because they stopped paying for upgrade, and the US Navy also ordered 6 more LCS, which help driving the price down. Also you will get a ship that similar to a modern frigate now (which they change the LCS to Fast Frigate) up to 3000 tons.
It's quite a bargain for a ship that advance, but I do understand your concern about the weapon system, however, I do think if they were made in Vietnam (If they ever do) the Austal People would be able to upgrade with Russian weaponry.
The problem about Australian-Vietnamese cooperation is that there are still some old guard in the Parliament that don't think it's right to deal with communist or former communist country, the question is not whether or not Australia will cooperate with Vietnam, the question is how long does it takes and how much money did we waste before we finally think of a economic cooperation with Vietnam.
Carlosa
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Map of the Exxon drilling area that has China up in arms. Its nonsense to pretend that such a location so close to the Vietnamese coast can be considered disputed waters. There is also a concentration of chinese ships in Vanguard Bank in the Spratlys where the Spanish company Repsol is drilling for oil together with Vietnam. There are rumors that the infamous chinese oil rig HD981 is heading to that location. The map also shows the location where oil rig HD981 was located in the water war of 2014.
Viet
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The Chinese consider everything as ancient territories including Danang beach. We aren't even allowed to pee into our waters. Considering they came from the central plain, people can question their mental condition.
It's worthless to start the 10th China/Vietnam war. For what reason?
I have some hope that a new confrontation can be avoided. Even the most Chinese nationalists know, I quote the Global Times: China and Vietnam must avoid disputes spiraling out of control. History has shown that a showdown between two countries will be particularly catastrophic as both have a strong ability to mobilize the public.
Viva_Viet
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We drill oil in our water, we make friend wt countries who bring win-win deals to VN, we will unify sub-Mekong region and take back all isls that belong to VN.
We have strong army, brave and loyal soldiers, so lets teach CN another lesson if they try to invade VN again.CN has no chance to win cos everyone know how PLA fought in 1979.
If u want peace, lets prepare for war . Thats it
Carlosa
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Latest and best pic so far of the land reclamation in Spratly island (Truong sa lon):
Well, do you know by what name Americans know Danang Beach? China beach.
American soldiers used to call it that way and there was a tv series by that name in USA, so I guess the chinese watched too much American television and probably think that Danang beach belongs to them too because of that name.
Chinese tour guides in Danang often tell chinese tourists that that's the name of the beach and that it actually belongs / should belong to China. I'm not kidding you.
Well, do you know by what name Americans know Danang Beach? China beach.
American soldiers used to call it that way and there was a tv series by that name in USA, so I guess the chinese watched too much American television and probably think that Danang beach belongs to them too because of that name.
Chinese tour guides in Danang often tell chinese tourists that that's the name of the beach and that it actually belongs / should belong to China. I'm not kidding you.
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Carlosa
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Vietnam military considers pulling out of economic activities: deputy minister
TUOI TRE NEWS
UPDATED : 06/23/2017 16:02 GMT + 7
Vietnam’s military, which is running many major enterprises in different fields, may withdraw from all economic activities to focus on its main role of national defense, a deputy minister of defense said Friday.
The Ministry of National Defense now considers having the military stop doing business, Colonel General Le Chiem said at a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Ho Chi Minh City, without providing a specific timeline for the plan.
“The provisional policy could be implemented with the military completely divesting from all companies it has a stake in, as well as privatizing all military-run enterprises,” the deputy minister elaborated.
The corporate arm of the military is operating in several fields, from banking and construction to fuel and telecom, with such popular names as Viettel Telecom, Military Joint Stock Commercial Bank (MBBank), Military Insurance Company (MIC) and Military Petrochemical (MIPEC).
Once the military no longer has a share in those companies, it will “focus on enhancing and modernizing itself to better fulfill its duty of protecting the Party, the State and the people,” Deputy Minister Chiem underlined.
For those businesses where the military will retain its stake, Chiem said they will “only serve national defense, rather than economic, purposes.”
At Friday’s meeting, Chiem also addressed the headline-making golf course that lies adjacent to the overloaded Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
The golf course, located within a 157-hectare land plot, has been criticized for occupying an area which should have been used to expand Vietnam’s busiest airdrome.
In mid-June, PM Phuc requested a cessation of all construction activities inside the golf course, pending a feasibility study for a new runway for Tan Son Nhat.
Chiem said the defense ministry has strictly followed the premier’s request.
The colonel general reassured that Ho Chi Minh City authorities should not worry about how the land issue would be resolved.
“The defense ministry’s view on this issue is that the development of civil aviation should be prioritized,” he said.
TUOI TRE NEWS
UPDATED : 06/23/2017 16:02 GMT + 7
Vietnam’s military, which is running many major enterprises in different fields, may withdraw from all economic activities to focus on its main role of national defense, a deputy minister of defense said Friday.
The Ministry of National Defense now considers having the military stop doing business, Colonel General Le Chiem said at a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Ho Chi Minh City, without providing a specific timeline for the plan.
“The provisional policy could be implemented with the military completely divesting from all companies it has a stake in, as well as privatizing all military-run enterprises,” the deputy minister elaborated.
The corporate arm of the military is operating in several fields, from banking and construction to fuel and telecom, with such popular names as Viettel Telecom, Military Joint Stock Commercial Bank (MBBank), Military Insurance Company (MIC) and Military Petrochemical (MIPEC).
Once the military no longer has a share in those companies, it will “focus on enhancing and modernizing itself to better fulfill its duty of protecting the Party, the State and the people,” Deputy Minister Chiem underlined.
For those businesses where the military will retain its stake, Chiem said they will “only serve national defense, rather than economic, purposes.”
At Friday’s meeting, Chiem also addressed the headline-making golf course that lies adjacent to the overloaded Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
The golf course, located within a 157-hectare land plot, has been criticized for occupying an area which should have been used to expand Vietnam’s busiest airdrome.
In mid-June, PM Phuc requested a cessation of all construction activities inside the golf course, pending a feasibility study for a new runway for Tan Son Nhat.
Chiem said the defense ministry has strictly followed the premier’s request.
The colonel general reassured that Ho Chi Minh City authorities should not worry about how the land issue would be resolved.
“The defense ministry’s view on this issue is that the development of civil aviation should be prioritized,” he said.
Carlosa
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Heard unofficial reports that 2 Kilo subs left Cam Ranh base and some fighter jets are deploying to secondary bases / airports (I'm not going to say to which bases for obvious reasons).
Viet
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Looking great. The island size has probably tripled. We should replicate it, creating more 50 islands. I read we want to import sand from Cambodia.
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