China-Vietnam: synergy greater than discord
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GT: As a Vietnamese scholar, what do you think of the conflict between the two countries on the South China Sea issue?
Nguyen: There were three major territorial disputes in the past: the land border, the North Bay division and the South China Sea issue. Now, only the South China Sea issue still remains, but it is affecting bilateral relations. The issue is important to both countries.
From a scholar's viewpoint, statements and declarations made by both sides are a little "over the top" and "too tough." The two sides should not handle this complex issue by appealing to national sentiment and without doing sufficient research.
The issue cannot be solved in the short term, it requires a positive atmosphere in both countries.
GT: The United States expressed its willingness to get involved in the South China Sea issue this year. What do you think of this?
Nguyen: The South China Sea issue has nothing to do with external forces. Their intervention is likely to create more conflict between the two countries.
GT: People say that to counterbalance China, Vietnam is trying to get closer to the United States. Is that true?
Nguyen: People say that when the Sino-Vietnam relation is good, Vietnam alienates the United States; but when Vietnam feels greater pressure from China, it moves closer to the United States. The reality is that all Southeast Asian countries want to balance their foreign relations.
Vietnam's problem is that the US is applying pressure about Vietnam's political system. From a diplomatic perspective, Vietnam will seek a balance between China and Western countries on international issues. But Vietnam is vigilant in its attitude toward the US.
The US hopes "to encircle China with Vietnam." If China turns "the improvement of relations between Vietnam and the US" into a problem, the Americans will have gotten their way.
There are more than 1 million overseas Vietnamese in the US, most of whom went there during the puppet government era. Some of them still want to subvert the current Vietnamese government. We are especially vigilant with these people.
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