These have not led to war
In September, two Chinese vessels surrounded a Vietnamese fishing boat near the Paracel Islands, which both countries claim. The Chinese then deployed three rubber hulled inflated boats carrying about 40 officers from China’s Maritime Safety Administration; they all boarded the Vietnamese boat.
They beat the crew with metal rods, breaking the legs and arms of three to four fishermen, knocking out the captain, and injuring 10 — after which they ransacked the fishing boat, damaged their fishing gear, and seized about four tons of fish catch.
It was a brutal scene reminiscent of what happened to our sailors on June 17, the most violent confrontation the Philippines has had with China in the West Philippine Sea.
Vietnam condemned China and “demanded that Beijing respect its sovereignty in the Paracel Islands, launch an investigation and provide it with information about the attack.”
The Philippines showed its solidarity with Vietnam. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued a statement saying that “the Philippines has consistently denounced the use of force, aggression and intimidation in the South China Sea.” The DFA called for “genuine self-restraint,” adding that “it is a paramount obligation to ensure the safety at sea of vessels and their crew, especially fisherfolk.”
Similarly, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año condemned China’s violent and illegal action against Vietnam: “Fishermen, as vulnerable maritime workers, deserve protection, not harm, at sea,” he said in a statement.
1974
To put things in perspective, this recent attack is benign. Vietnam has gone through more violent confrontations with China in the South China Sea than the Philippines has ever had. At this time, when the fear of things getting out of hand with China is at the back of our minds, it is helpful to look at milestones in Vietnam’s history of clashes with China where lives were lost. These did not lead to war.
China seized the Paracels in 1974 after a bloody two-day fight against South Vietnamese naval forces; this has since been called the “Battle of the Paracels.” At the time, South Vietnam was separate from the north, which was controlled by the communists. China had already occupied part of the Paracels as the Vietnam War was winding down. It was then that the Saigon government sent soldiers on four warships to repel Chinese forces.
South Vietnam suffered a bitter defeat, losing more than 70 of its Navy soldiers. China has since fully occupied the Paracels.
This happened 50 years ago, but this war remains etched in the memory of the Vietnamese. In January 2024, the 50th anniversary of this naval battle, Hanoi condemned China’s use of force, as if it just happened yesterday. “Every act of threatening or using force in international relations, especially the use of force to resolve territorial disputes between states, is in complete contravention of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, and in serious violation of international law,” Vietnam’s ministry of foreign affairs said.
2014
Forty years later, another violent confrontation took place.
In May 2014, China deployed its oil rig in the Paracel Islands, 400 kilometers east of central Vietnam and 350 km southeast of China’s Hainan island. The rig, owned by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, was escorted by naval vessels and fighter jets. Beijing announced it was going to be parked at sea for exploratory work for more than two months.
This angered Vietnam, which demanded that China remove the rig. It said the site is in its exclusive economic zone. Hanoi sent a flotilla of ships to the area.
Tension escalated as China deployed water cannons against the Vietnamese; China’s 80 boats sent to protect the rig engaged in skirmishes with the Vietnamese ships. The Guardian reported that China later sent two amphibious ships equipped with anti-air missiles.
The rhetoric between the two parties heightened. Vietnam said it would “make no concession to China’s wrongful acts.” Vietnam’s state media stridently said: “The Vietnamese people are angry… We have every right to be angry.” For its part, China urged Vietnam not to “aggravate the…friction” and said it will not change its position on safeguarding its sovereign rights in the area.
What was happening on the sea reverberated on land where killings took place. In two provinces, violent protests against China erupted: protesters smashed down gates, set fire to Chinese-owned businesses, and chased out Chinese nationals. At least 21 people were killed and nearly 100 injured in Vietnam, described as “one of the deadliest confrontations between the two neighbors.”
China eventually pulled out its rig, a month earlier than its scheduled departure.
Different histories
Many have been asking what would come next after the Chinese Coast Guard boarded the Philippines’ Navy boat in June and inflicted violence on our sailors.
Thanks to our diplomats, Manila and Beijing have agreed on a temporary respite to keep the peace in the area. We heaved a sigh of relief but, soon after, skirmishes in Sabina Shoal erupted in August. What awaits the Philippines in these contentious waters — with China steeped in a beast mode?
Hanoi’s relations with Beijing, both communist states, allow them a party-to-party channel of communication. But the anti-China sentiment in Vietnam is high and can be ferocious.
Vietnam has a fiery history. In 1979, Vietnam repelled Chinese forces in a land combat. Vietnam also takes pride in having defeated two powerful colonizers: France and the US.
We may have different systems and histories — but this does not stop us from learning from them. If there’s one takeaway from our neighbor’s past, it is their standing up as one against China. As an article in the state media put it: “We will stand as one, united in the cause of protecting our motherland’s integrity.”
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Till next time!
