Viet Nam's high-speed rail storm is back, and there is an undercurrent behind it: cooperation or provocation?
Not long ago, Viet Nam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh took the initiative to seek China's help at the summer Davos Economic Forum, hoping that China would assist Viet Nam in building high-speed rail.
This move seems ordinary, but in fact, there is an undercurrent behind it, causing a lot of speculation.
Why did Viet Nam offer an olive branch of cooperation to China at this time? What kind of motives and calculations are hidden behind this?
Let's unravel the mystery behind this.
Looking back, Viet Nam's journey in high-speed rail construction can be described as full of twists and turns.
As early as 2005, Viet Nam openly conducted international bidding for high-speed rail projects, and countries such as China and Japan sent companies to participate in the bidding.
Surprisingly, however, Viet Nam chose to cooperate with Japan by excluding Chinese companies with significantly better solutions for various reasons.
This decision caused a lot of controversy and doubts at the time.
Today, 19 years later, only 10 kilometers of the high-speed rail project, which was originally planned to be completed in five years, has been built, and progress is seriously lagging behind.
This embarrassing reality has forced Viet Nam to re-examine its choices.
At the same time, Viet Nam's neighbors, such as Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia, have made remarkable progress in building high-speed railways with China.
In particular, the opening of the Javanta-Bandung high-speed railway last year made Viet Nam deeply anxious. They are beginning to realize that working with China may be the smart way to move forward with high-speed rail.
As a result, Viet Nam representatives began to take the initiative to ask for China's help, hoping that China could assist Viet Nam in completing the construction of the North-South high-speed railway by providing loans and carrying out cooperation, as it did with Laos and other countries.
China has always been open to foreign cooperation, and we always welcome all partners as long as mutual benefits can be achieved.
In view of Viet Nam's precedent for cooperation and positive gesture, China also responded positively that it is willing to build high-speed rail for Viet Nam under the framework of consultation with relevant mechanisms between the two countries to help promote its transportation modernization.
However, just when the cooperation between the two sides seemed to be about to make substantial progress, Viet Nam suddenly turned around.
According to media reports on the 17th, the representative of Viet Nam submitted a plan similar to that of the Philippines to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, trying to redraw the East China Sea.
This move is undoubtedly a serious provocation to China's sovereignty.
It is worth noting that just last month, at the same time, the Philippines unilaterally made the same "submission", which was clearly refuted by China.
Now, Viet Nam is jumping out to do things at this sensitive moment, is this a coincidence or intentional?
The spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Viet Nam's illegal and unilateral provocative action.
They pointed out that Viet Nam's so-called "submission" claim has seriously violated China's sovereign rights and interests in the South China Sea, as well as many international laws such as the UN Charter and the UNCLOS Law.
This act not only violates Viet Nam's previous commitment to endorse China's Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, but also further raises tensions in the South China Sea.
China also solemnly reminds the Government of Viet Nam that the relevant regulations of the Convention clearly stipulate that the Committee has the right to postpone or not consider the proposal if the sponsor's application has a dispute with other States over maritime rights and interests.
For areas such as the South China Sea, which are essentially owned by China but have sovereignty disputes imposed by external forces, the Commission will handle them in accordance with the principle of "no review if there is a dispute".
Therefore, it should be clear to both the Philippines and Viet Nam that such a proposal has no practical meaning.
From an in-depth analysis, it is clear that the purpose of the Philippines' submission is to distract China, and this act is seen as a stupid trick of "playing without cards".
The situation in Viet Nam is different.
In the nearly two years that the Philippines has stirred up the situation in the South China Sea, Viet Nam has maintained a relatively low-key and evasive stance.
However, after Russia's visit to Viet Nam, the situation began to turn.
All this may be secretly planned by the United States.
Although Putin's visit to Viet Nam was short, the two sides reached close cooperation in many fields such as import and export trade, enterprise investment, and education, and raised the relationship between the two countries to a new height of "comprehensive strategic partnership".
The move unnerved United States. Because Viet Nam's ambiguous attitude on the South China Sea issue has already dissatisfied United States, and now it is working hand in hand with Russia, which undoubtedly damages the face of the West.
Therefore, after Putin left Viet Nam, United States politicians quickly launched a visit to Viet Nam, during which they clearly pointed the finger at China and Russia, and asked Viet Nam to carefully weigh the pros and cons.
In fact, Viet Nam's purpose in maintaining neutrality is simply to not offend China too much, but its small actions in private have never stopped.
As one of the countries that have invaded China's islands and reefs the most, Viet Nam has monopolized 29 islands and reefs, and has been accelerating the construction of permanent buildings and military installations on these islands and reefs, and has also relocated large numbers of people to live on them.
Such an act is undoubtedly a serious violation and provocation of China's sovereignty.
United States put pressure on the Viet Nam, but also had to give them certain benefits in exchange for cooperation.
Viet Nam also intends to strengthen cooperation with United States, Japan, the Philippines and other countries to jointly confront China.
In this way, they are trying to balance their interests in the South China Sea region and seek more international support and assistance.
However, such an act is undoubtedly a serious provocation and violation of China's sovereignty.
Judging from the current situation, it is clear that some kind of agreement or tacit understanding has been reached between the United States and the Viet Nam.
This made Viet Nam choose to oppose water again after reaching positive cooperation with China and Russia.
In this way, they are trying to make overtures to United States and seek more international support and assistance.
However, such an act is undoubtedly a serious provocation and violation of China's sovereignty, and further exacerbates tensions in the South China Sea.
If the situation continues to develop like this, will Viet Nam lease Cam Ranh Bay to the US military in the Asia-Pacific region as a super supply base as the United States wishes?
This is indeed an issue to keep an eye on.
As an important military base and strategic point of Viet Nam, Cam Ranh Bay's status and value are self-evident.
If Viet Nam does lease Cam Ranh Bay to United States, it will undoubtedly pose a serious threat and challenge to China's interests and sovereignty in the South China Sea.
Since the founding of New China, Viet Nam's behavior has been dissatisfying and vigilant.
They sometimes show their willingness to be friendly and cooperative with China, while at other times they engage in petty moves and provocative acts behind their backs.
Such double-dealing has not only damaged the foundation of mutual trust and cooperation between China and Vietnam, but also further exacerbated tensions and instability in the South China Sea.
In the face of Viet Nam's provocations and betrayals, China must remain vigilant and calmly respond.
We can't overreact or make decisions because of the momentary anger and impulsiveness.
On the contrary, we should safeguard our legitimate rights and interests and sovereignty through diplomatic channels and international law.
At the same time, we should also strengthen cooperation and communication with neighboring countries to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
In short, the undercurrent and complex situation behind the resurgence of Viet Nam's high-speed rail is indeed worrying and alarming.
We must pay close attention to the development of the situation and take practical and effective measures to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests and sovereign status.
At the same time, we should also call on the international community to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and avoid any form of provocation and conflict.
Only in this way can we jointly create a peaceful, stable and prosperous South China Sea region.
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