Big Power Underestimates Vietnam Again

Seeking crude oil sleeping on seabed of South China Sea, China started attacking on Vietnamese vessels around Paracel Islands, which are located inside exclusive economic zone of Vietnam. Against assertion of China that those islands had been under Chinese sovereignty, Vietnam appealed China’s unilateral challenge on current international order of Asia-Pacific region with video footage of violent Chinese vessels. China apparently underestimates the nation that fought a great war against a superpower decades ago.

China notified Vietnam of its drilling around Paracel Islands between May 2^nd and August 15^th. Vietnam strongly opposed it with recognition of the place as within its EEZ. Vietnam revealed China’s aggressive actions on Vietnamese coast guard vessels, which included body attack of vessels, water cannoning and removing the cover of guns. Vietnam also reported that a fishery boat was sunk by Chinese activity. Officials of Vietnamese Coast Guard declared determination in defense.

Not only public affairs, Vietnamese government made diplomatic efforts. Foreign Minister meeting of the Association of South-East Asian Nations will release a statement concerning Chinese behavior around the islands. Although China has been a great economic partner for Southeast Asian countries, its unilateral assertion on territorial issues cannot be ignored for them.

China took counter measures against Vietnam. The government of China reiterated that the islands were inherited territory of China and the drilling was simply a matter of exercise of Chinese sovereignty. It denounced Vietnam of collision one hundred seventy-one times. However, a video footage revealed that a Chinese vessel was hitting rear side of Vietnamese vessel, which indicated China’s attack.

The United States accused China of its drilling in disputed area. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, denounced China, saying “It was unilateral and intimidating marine promotion of China. China must explain the reason of its activity to Vietnam and international society.” China’s assertion became a good appeal point for Japan, when it is emphasizing China’s forcible change of status quo as a cause of Japan’s military rebuilding.

The structure is apparent. Most of the world supports the standpoint of Vietnam. China is simply challenging declining power of U.S., which appeared in the issues of Syria and Ukraine. However, diplomacy over Paracel Islands does not work, shown as hotline talk between U.S. and Ruiisa, under China’s unilateral behavior. That distinguishes Paracel from Syria and Ukraine. China’s selfish pursuit of resource only pushes it to isolation.