In modern times, China and Vietnam have a deep historical relationship, from the founding of the Party to the reunification of North and South Vietnam, Vietnam has always been one of the two neighboring countries that China has provided the most assistance. During the war of resistance against the United States, which lasted for more than a decade, China provided Vietnam with a large amount of military, human and financial support. In June 1965, China secretly sent rear support troops into Vietnam, mainly responsible for air defense, railways, engineering and other tasks, and contributed hard efforts. By 1968, China had aided 320,000 people and worked hard for the Vietnam War, killing more than 1,100 people and seriously wounding more than 4,200. In addition, China also provided North Vietnam with a large amount of urgently needed materials, such as food, medicine, etc., providing solid support for Vietnam's war efforts.
However, it is worth pondering that after the reunification of North and South Vietnam, Vietnam showed a different attitude towards China's Nansha islands and reefs. Vietnam has continuously invaded and occupied China's Nansha islands and reefs, and now has de facto control over 29 islands and reefs, becoming one of the countries with the largest number of encroachments, the most ruthless plundering of resources, and the greatest profits. This kind of behavior is very painful for the Chinese people.
Vietnam's illegal occupation of the South China Sea includes not only large islands and atolls, but also shoals that are not visible at low tide. Why?The reason for this is that there are abundant oil and gas resources in the vicinity of these places. Vietnam has even illegally built stilt platforms in Quang Nha Tan, with the number reaching more than 20. These acts not only infringe on China's territorial sovereignty, but also seriously infringe upon China's legitimate rights and interests in the South China Sea.
In 1971, China successfully expelled Vietnamese forces from the Paracel Islands through the Battle of the Paracels, but Vietnam did not give up and began to enter the Spratly Islands in 1988. Although China has built seven bases in the Spratlys, Vietnam has maintained a strong presence and often harassed and reconnoitred our military bases in the Spratlys. Vietnamese fishermen and reconnaissance boats often approached the islands and reefs of the Chinese garrison for 4 to 5 nautical miles, and were not afraid even when they were driven away by the squadron. This situation makes one wonder why Vietnam dares to get so close to China's islands and reefs
On the one hand, Vietnamese fishermen know very well that China is a peace-loving power, and the Chinese people are peace-loving people. Due to the suffering in history, the Chinese people have a deep understanding of the cruelty of war and a deeper yearning for peace. China will not talk about going to war lightly, let alone take the initiative to provoke a war. The Vietnamese army and even the Vietnamese fishermen were convinced that China would not easily fire the first shot. This is already one of the reasons why they dare to be so close to the Chinese islands and reefs.
On the other hand, the image of the Chinese Navy has been deeply rooted in the hearts of Vietnamese fishermen. The image of China's major navies is very positive, and they know that the Chinese navy will not do anything that violates humanity like some other countries. The image of the Chinese army as a righteous army at home and abroad has made the Vietnamese fishermen maintain a kind of trust in the squadron. This is further illustrated by a recent incident in which a Vietnamese fisherman approached the Chinese Navy for rescue when he encountered an accident in the Spratly waters, and China quickly dispatched a rescue team to successfully treat the Vietnamese fishermen and even reconnect their severed limbs. This rescue made the Vietnamese fishermen deeply feel the humanitarian spirit of the squadron and strengthened their trust in the squadron.
However, Vietnam's encroachment remains unacceptable. The blue dotted line of Vietnam's illegal claims in the South China Sea has crossed the bottom line of international law and poses a threat to China's Spratly islands and reefs. Although China has won custody of the Spratly Islands through the Battle of the Paracels and other efforts, Vietnam remains powerful, harassing and scouting Chinese troops from time to time. This state of affairs requires a high degree of vigilance.
In the face of Vietnam's illegal occupation, China must maintain a high degree of vigilance and safeguard its territorial sovereignty. At the diplomatic level, China should firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests in the South China Sea and resolve disputes through international law. At the military level, China needs to maintain a strong naval force and be ready to respond to any provocations. At the same time, through international cooperation, Vietnam will be urged to abide by international laws and regulations and stop its illegal occupation of China's Nansha islands and reefs.
To sum up, China and Vietnam have always had deep and friendly relations, but Vietnam's illegal occupation has brought serious challenges to this relationship. China should maintain a high degree of vigilance and take decisive measures to defend its territorial sovereignty and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.