7 - Vietnam's Hedging Strategy against China since Normalization

Summary

Introduction

Vietnam's relations with China reflect a typical pattern of interactions between asymmetrical powers, with the smaller and greater powers pursuing divergent, sometimes conflicting, interests. Each power employs different strategies to handle the relationship (see, for example, Thayer 2002; Womack 2006). As summarized in Chapter 2, Vietnam's longstanding objective vis-à-vis China has been to maintain its sovereignty, territorial integrity and political autonomy against the threat of Chinese expansionism, while taking advantage of cultural and trade opportunities for its own national development made possible by its geographical proximity to China. Since independence, Vietnam has pursued a two-pronged strategy to handle a preponderant China: on the one hand, Vietnam has shown its unwavering determination to stand up against any Chinese attempts to undermine its political autonomy or territorial integrity. On the other hand, Vietnam has also paid due deference to China as long as its own independence and autonomy were respected.

In short, Vietnam's approach towards China can be characterized as a calibrated mixture of deference and defiance. In recent decades, this approach has been reinforced by two contradictory tendencies that have shaped bilateral relations. While ideological affinity and growing economic interdependence have strengthened bilateral relations, Vietnam's entrenched awareness of the China threat — primarily due to China's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea — has deepened its suspicion of Beijing's intentions and hence its efforts to counter any undue pressure from China.

Although living next to a powerful China is not a new experience for Vietnam, China's re-emergence as a proto-superpower in recent decades — especially in terms of its military strength and power projection capabilities — has necessarily renewed and intensified Vietnam's China challenge. Furthermore, unlike previous historical periods, bilateral relations after the Cold War have also been increasingly conditioned by the international and regional frameworks in which the bilateral relationship is situated. In particular, this is due to the unprecedented expansion of both countries’ foreign relations, their deeper integration into regional and global institutions and arrangements, as well as their gradual embrace of prevalent norms and practices.