A Word from Vietnam

[Randy W]

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I found this of special interest, since it refers to Both China and the U.S. Translated by the New York Times

 

Vietnam’s Angry Feet

 

"Tuong Lai, a sociologist also known as Nguyen Phuoc Tuong, was an adviser to two Vietnamese prime ministers from 1991 to 2006. This essay was translated by The New York Times from the Vietnamese."

and apparently lives in Ho Chi Minh City

 

 

LAST month, Vietnamese courts imposed heavy sentences on two patriotic students in their early 20s who had been charged with “speaking ill of China.”

. . .

Vietnam fought off the Mongols in the 13th century and defeated other foreign aggressors during the 15th, 18th and 20th centuries. Our character was forged by these ferocious struggles. Yet today, in defiance of international law and trampling on principle and morality, China’s territorial claim stretches into the South China Sea like an ox tongue trying to swallow up waters that hold in their depths a vast reserve of petroleum to feed an energy-hungry economy that dreams of attaining superpower status. It is also a vital maritime artery that would enable China to achieve its ambitions.

In response to China’s actions, so-called angry feet have pounded Vietnam’s streets in demonstrations that have united intellectuals and urban youth. They have been joined by farmers, who have been forced into lives of poverty because the government, under the banner of people’s ownership, has expropriated their fields without providing adequate compensation.

. . .

In the wake of its victory over the United States in the 1970s, Vietnam gained the sympathy, respect and admiration of peace-loving people around the world. But because our leaders insisted on maintaining a moribund political system and a dogmatic ideology, Vietnam’s economic fortunes declined and our government became the target of international criticism for its repression of democracy and violations of human rights.

Vietnamese leaders became overly subservient to China, falling out of the orbit of democracy and far behind the rest of the world, a world into which Vietnam now desperately needs to integrate itself so that it can grow and develop.

China’s leaders long ago discarded socialism for an unbridled right-wing capitalist system that nourishes the expansionist dreams that their forefathers never abandoned. And Vietnam’s leaders are using the smoke screen of shared socialist ideology to protect their own hold on power. Their hypocritical words about being friendly neighbors are a farce.

[warpedbored]

Good read Randy. It sheds some light on why China seems to want to dominate the entire south China sea for more than just self defense. Here's another interesting read on CN/VN

http://sinovietnamesewar.com/

 

The larger issue though is oil. They suspect there are large untapped oil reserves in the south China sea, particularly in the contested Spratly Islands which China claims is theirs. Vietnam, The Philippines, and India have been exploring the region for oil and natural gas.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/28/us-china-spratlys-philippines-idUSTRE81R03420120228

 

There's a lot more at stake here than just national sovereignty or self defense.

[Fu Lai]

essentially it is a sovereignty and defense issue but the greedy hands of capitalism are also involved... sad Western press notice

Edited June 10, 2013 by Fu Lai (see edit history)

[warpedbored]

essentially it is a sovereignty and defense issue but the greedy hands of capitalism are also involved... sad Western press notice

Man do they have you brainwashed. Either that or you just like to argue. If you honestly believe that all of China's motivations for their actions in the region are purely defensive and justified you are severely deluded.

[Fu Lai]

Thank you kind owner for your uplifting and non-combative words. If you want to argue, I will not join you. You can believe whatever you want but others can just read my words themselves for what I say here. I never said "motivations for their actions in the region are purely defensive and justified."

 

In the spirit of Qu Yuan, have a great Dragon Boat Festival. May your drum beat strong, your oars splash loudly and your zong zi be delicious.

 

 

 

essentially it is a sovereignty and defense issue but the greedy hands of capitalism are also involved... sad Western press notice

Man do they have you brainwashed. Either that or you just like to argue. If you honestly believe that all of China's motivations for their actions in the region are purely defensive and justified you are severely deluded.