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In 1979, when Chinese troops crossed the border and launched a fierce attack on military positions in Vietnam, the political landscape of Southeast Asia seemed to be shaken. With the outbreak of war, the eyes of the international community were firmly focused on this battlefield, and the positions and reactions of various countries quickly surfaced.
In this counterattack, known as self-defense, the Soviet Union and its allies quickly sided with Vietnam, while others chose to support China. Some of these countries that support China are based on deep historical friendships, while others are motivated by geopolitical considerations. So, which countries are on China's side in this storm of regional conflict?
The cause of the Vietnam War of Aggression against Cambodia
On December 25, 1978, the Vietnamese army officially crossed the border and invaded Cambodian territory, launching a full-scale military attack. In the early morning of the same day, Vietnamese troops quietly assembled on the Cambodian border, and as the first rays of sunlight rose, a large number of troops broke through the border defense line and quickly advanced towards the main towns of Cambodia. The raid was swift and violent, and Cambodian border guards were barely able to put up an effective resistance, with many of the defensive positions breached within hours.
As the Vietnamese army advanced, Cambodia's government institutions fell into disarray. Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, quickly became a battleground, with government buildings and military fortifications in the city coming under heavy attack. Vietnamese tanks and armoured vehicles rumbled through the streets, one after the other, and the sound of artillery fire and machine-gun fire set off dust one after another.
Vietnam's goal in this aggression is not only to overthrow the Cambodian regime, but also to broader geopolitical considerations. Vietnam hopes to expand its influence in Southeast Asia by controlling Cambodia and paving the way for its long-term strategic goals.
The Chinese government reacted swiftly and resolutely to this action. Immediately upon learning of the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia, Beijing expressed serious concern. The Chinese leadership believes that Vietnam's actions not only threaten Cambodia's sovereignty and regional stability, but also a potential threat to China's southern border. The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement strongly condemning Vietnam's aggression and calling on the international community to pay attention to it.
Tensions escalate on the Sino-Vietnamese border
At the same time as the Vietnamese army invaded Cambodia, tensions in the Sino-Vietnamese border area were escalating. A series of provocative acts by Vietnamese forces along the border have gradually increased, including frequent border crossings and small-scale firefights, which not only undermine peace and stability in the border areas, but also seriously challenge China's national security and territorial integrity.
Vietnam's military operations were clearly provocative, with its border troops not only entering Chinese territory without notice, but also setting up a number of military observation posts and outposts near the border in an attempt to tighten control over the border areas. These actions have aroused high alarm among the Chinese military, and Chinese border guards have begun to step up border patrols, while setting up additional observation posts at key points to closely monitor Vietnam's military movements.
In early 1979, tensions on the Sino-Vietnamese border reached a height. Chinese decision-makers believe that decisive measures must be taken in response to Vietnam's successive provocations. After close observation and strategic assessment, China decided to launch targeted strikes against Vietnam's military positions in the border areas to demonstrate its steadfastness in safeguarding national sovereignty and security.
In the early morning of February 17, 1979, after careful planning and preparation, the Chinese border guards launched a large-scale military operation. The operation was aimed at inflicting devastating strikes on several major military positions on the Vietnamese border in order to eliminate border threats and restore peace and stability in the border areas. Chinese artillery units were the first to launch a heavy artillery bombardment, with heavy artillery and long-range rocket artillery intensively bombarding military facilities in Vietnam.
Subsequently, Chinese ground forces quickly crossed the border and marched on Vietnamese outposts. Armored vehicles and infantry detachments, supported by artillery fire, quickly broke through the Vietnamese defenses, destroying several observation posts and communication stations. These quick and precise strikes quickly weakened the combat effectiveness of the Vietnamese border guards, leading to the rapid collapse of the Vietnamese army's defensive forces at several key points.
During this operation, the Chinese army demonstrated a high degree of organizational capabilities and combat efficiency. Through this series of well-organized attacks, China succeeded in forcing Vietnamese troops to retreat from a number of key areas, effectively reducing tensions in the border areas. In addition, the operation also sent a clear message to Vietnam and the international community that China has the determination and ability to protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity and will not tolerate any form of external aggression.
The reaction of the international community
When China launched a self-defense counterattack against Vietnam in 1979, this military action immediately attracted widespread attention from the international community. This conflict is not only a regional military operation, but also part of the confrontation of global political forces during the Cold War, and the positions and reactions of countries in the international arena clearly distinguish friends and foes.
Since the split between China and the Soviet Union in the 60s of the last century, relations between China and the Soviet Union have deteriorated sharply, and opposing camps have gradually formed. Against this background, the USSR tried to build geopolitical pressure on China, especially in Southeast Asia, by strengthening cooperation with Vietnam. The Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Soviet Union and Vietnam provided the legal and political basis for this strategy, giving the Soviet Union the opportunity to encircle China in Southeast Asia.
As soon as China's military operation against Vietnam was launched, the Soviet government responded quickly. The Soviet Foreign Ministry issued a statement the day after the outbreak of the war, stressing that the Soviet Union would unswervingly support Vietnam and fulfill its obligations of support to Vietnam in accordance with the treaty of friendship and cooperation signed between the two sides. This statement, which was immediately widely reported by the international media, showed the high level of concern that the Soviet Union was concerned about the conflict in this region and its position in international politics in favor of its allies.
In addition, a number of countries within the Soviet Union's political sphere of influence have issued similar statements in solidarity with Vietnam and condemnation of China's military actions. Most of these countries were satellites or ideological allies of the Soviet Union, and although their statements were very similar to the Soviet Union in content and wording, they were far less influential in the international arena than the Soviet Union.
Although the reaction of the USSR and its allies attracted some international attention, many analysts believe that these statements were more of a political statement, and that the USSR did not immediately provide significant reinforcements to Vietnam in terms of actual military support and actions. To a certain extent, this situation reflected the true attitude of the Soviet Union to this conflict: although it was superficially supportive of Vietnam, at the strategic level, the Soviet Union was wary of directly intervening in a military conflict in the region.
North Korea's support and friendship
In the war of self-defense and counterattack against Vietnam, the DPRK's reaction and position were very clear, and the DPRK government under the leadership of Kim Il Sung openly expressed its support for China's military action. In a series of public speeches and statements, Kim Il Sung expressed strong criticism of Vietnam's actions. He noted that Vietnam had not only carried out military aggression against Cambodia, but that its actions throughout Southeast Asia had shown clear regional hegemonic ambitions.
North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued several statements in support of China's right to protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity and called on the international community to understand and support China's position. In addition, the DPRK has actively defended China's actions in international conferences and organizations, trying to reduce international pressure on China.
Behind this firm support is the historical background of the deep friendship established between the DPRK and China in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. In that war, the Chinese volunteers not only helped Korea resist foreign military invasion, but also provided great help in the post-war reconstruction work. Chinese engineers and medical teams were extensively involved in the reconstruction of roads, bridges, and medical facilities in post-war North Korea, and these activities greatly deepened the emotional ties between the two peoples.
During the post-war reconstruction, the Chinese volunteers helped the DPRK rebuild many schools, hospitals, and factories, and the restoration of these infrastructures laid an important foundation for the post-war economic development of the DPRK. In addition, China has provided a large amount of agricultural assistance, including seeds, farm tools and technical guidance, to help North Korea restore agricultural production and alleviate the famine caused by the war.
This experience of supporting and helping each other in difficult times has filled the DPRK with deep friendship and trust in China. Therefore, when China faced the challenge of Vietnam, North Korea did not hesitate to side with China, a position that was largely based on the consideration of the two countries' shared historical experience and strategic interests.
Cambodia's plight and support
In the 1979 self-defense counterattack against Vietnam, Cambodia's position was particularly crucial. At this time, Cambodia was at a turning point in history, and the invasion of Vietnam had forced the Cambodian king to seek refuge abroad, and China became his patron state. The Vietnamese army's hegemony in Cambodia has not only undermined Cambodia's national structure, but also seriously threatened regional balance and security. Against this backdrop, China's military involvement was seen as a key action to support Cambodia's resistance to Vietnamese aggression.
While the Chinese government decided to support Cambodia, it was also out of consideration for safeguarding its own strategic security. By fighting back in Vietnam's self-defense, China aims to stop Vietnam's expansionist behavior, restore regional stability, and indirectly help Cambodia restore its national sovereignty. When the Cambodian king sought refuge in the wake of the Vietnamese invasion, China was quick to provide him not only with political asylum, but also with a safe place to live in Beijing, demonstrating China's support and commitment to the Cambodian government.
During the war against Vietnam, the Cambodian government, although weak, gave firm support to China's actions internationally. Cambodian leaders have said on many international occasions that China's military involvement is a liberation for Cambodia and a reaffirmation of its national sovereignty. The Cambodian government has publicly expressed its gratitude to China, arguing that without China's support, Cambodia could completely lose its chance as an independent country.
After Vietnam's withdrawal, China also helped Cambodia carry out a series of reconstruction efforts, including infrastructure construction, economic assistance, and the restoration of social services. These actions have further consolidated Cambodia's trust and dependence on China, and deepened the friendship between the two countries.
Cambodia's support is not only a moral victory for China, but also a strategic success. By effectively assisting Cambodia to free itself from Vietnam's control, China has not only consolidated its influence in Southeast Asia, but also laid the foundation for future regional cooperation and development.
References:[1]Gong Li. Sino-U.S.-Soviet relations during the self-defense and counterattack war against Vietnam[J].Communist Party Member,2012(6):58-58