Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
1
Vietnams Modest Reaction to China in the Chinese counterparts concerning the
South China Sea ultimate solution about the territorial
The Vietnamese government has issued so issues. In fact, the issue on the land border
far two types of formal discourse on the between Vietnam and China has been
South China Sea: one is to firmly completely settled; in November 2009, the
emphasize Vietnams legitimate two countries finally concluded three
sovereignty over the entire Spratly and documents on border demarcation and
Paracel Islands, with adequate historical control.
background; officially, Vietnam has never
shown willingness to compromise. The Further Actions from the Vietnamese Side?
other is, although the sovereignty itself can Facing a potential challenge on the South
never be relinquished, to continue to seek a China Sea, how is Vietnam expected to deal
solution to the issue in a peaceful manner. with it? The current strategic
Regarding Vietnams complex attitude environment surrounding Vietnam will
toward China and the South China Sea, just provide the country with limited policy
description in the third and newest defense options: it would not be feasible for
white paper, issued in November 2009 by Vietnam to pursue a reinforced military
the Ministry of Defense of Vietnam, should partnership with other powers, like the US,
be noted; as a regional security outlook, it Japan, India or Russia, in order to balance
clarifies that territorial disputes have against Chinas expanding power. Vietnam
become more complicated in Southeast actually rules out the choice to enter a
Asia, particularly in the South China Sea. military alliance with the external
At the same time however, the white paper powers. In the end, as Ralf Emmers
emphasizes the efforts which have been correctly points out, Vietnam, and perhaps
made to solve the issue peacefully, or at other claimants on the South China Sea,
least alleviate the tension stemming from will have to seek some solution through
the issue. Moreover, it also underscores ASEAN as a collective diplomatic body,
Vietnams readiness to further talks for the although the path for solution, with the
solution. The Vietnamese defense uncertainty of Chinas future intention, is
authorities seem to be carefully avoiding still unclear. One of the appropriate
the situation where Vietnams vigilant choices would be to continue talks with
perception toward China with regard to the China in the framework of ASEAN-China
South China Sea be underlined too strongly. dialogue. In a foreseeable future, Vietnam,
Vietnam has to balance a cooperative with its efforts to strengthen
relationship with China against the multi-dimensional diplomacy, will pursue a
long-held vigilance on Chinese territorial peaceful resolution. This policy might
ambition in the South China Sea; become a viable solution as long as China
Vietnamese media, naturally under the needs a peaceful and stable environment
control of state in a socialist country, tend for further economic development, it
to focus on the developments in talks with therefore can find interest in a peaceful
2
solution of the issue. Certainly, China is a
crucial factor to determine the issue,
regardless of concern arising from the
neighbors. For Vietnam, there is just a
narrow path to a solution, but it will have
to continue to enhance the certainty to
arrive at an optimal point for the claimants.
Uy ban thon dao Vinh Hung va Trieu Thuat [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam,
Vietnam opposes Chinas decision to establish committees on the Vinh Hung and Trieu
Thuat Islands], http://www.mofa.gov.vn/vi/tt_baochi/pbnfn/ns091116183639 (accessed
2 February 2010).
Nuoc Cong hoa Xa hoi Chu nghia Viet Nam, Bo Quoc phong, Quoc phong Viet Nam
cam moc, quan ly bien gioi va quan ly cua khau bien gioi tren dat lien [Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Vietnam and China concluded the documents related to
border posts, border control and border gate control],
http://www.mofa.gov.vn/vi/nr040807104143/nr040807105001/ns091119083705
(accessed 3 February 2010).
Quoc phong Viet Nam, p. 21.
Ralf Emmers, The Changing Power Distribution in the South China Sea:
Implications for Conflict Management and Avoidance, RSIS Working Paper No. 183,
Singapore, 30 September 2009, p. 9.
Please note that the views in this column do not represent the official opinion
of NIDS.
Please contact us at the following regarding any questions, comments or
requests you may have.
Planning and Coordination Office, The National Institute for Defense Studies
Telephone: 03-3713-5912
Fax: 03-3713-6149
E-mail: nidsnews@inds.go.jp
Website: http://www.nids.go.jp