Since 1st week of July 2019, particular news started to make headlines regarding a week-long standoff between Vietnamese and Chinese ships, near an offshore oil block in the disputed South China Sea waters, falling within Vietnam's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone). China's claim over the South China Sea, particularly known as Nine Dash Line, includes large swathes of Vietnam's continental shelves which are rich in oil reserves. To brief the incident, a Chinese ship, named The Haiyang Dizhi 8, operated by China's Geological Survey, finished a 12 day survey of near the dispute waters of Spratly islands. One of the oil blocks that the Chinese ship surveyed falls under the Vietnamese EEZ, and is also approved by Vietnam to a Spanish energy firm, known as Repsol. Incidentally, Repsol was earlier forced to withdraw its operations from the disputed South China Sea, under immense pressure from Beijing, once in 2017 and then again in 2018. Matters got complicated when 9 Vietnamese vessels closely followed the Chinese vessel Haiyang Dizhi 8 after it completed its survey. However, the Chinese ship was reportedly followed by 3 Chinese coast guard vessels as well.

On the other hand, in a separate incident, few days earlier a Chinese coast guard ship Haijing 35111, maneuvered in a violent manner towards certain vessels belonging to Vietnam, who were attending and servicing a Japanese-owned oil rig, known as Hakuryu 5. The Hakuryu 5 is leased by a Russian state oil firm Rosneft, operating in Vietnam's Block 06.1, which is at a distance of 230 miles southeast of Vietnam. The conflict in this scenario arrives from the fact that the Block 06.1 falls within an area that is claimed by China under its infamous nine-dash line. According to a leading newspaper report, China's nine-dash line is not a continuous line but is a series of dashes, which makes the Chinese claim pretty vague and under-defined at times. According to a leading think tank report, on 2nd of July 2019, as the Vietnamese vessels were preparing to leave the Japanese vessel Hakuryu 5 after the required servicing, the Chinese vessel Haijing 35111 maneuvered between the Vietnamese and the Japanese vessels at high speed, passing within 100 metres of each ship and that too less than half a nautical mile from the rig.

Amidst such developments, the foreign ministries of both the nations released statement to justify each other's stance. On 12th July 2019, Spokesperson from the Chinese foreign ministry, Geng Shuang, said in his statement that China is consistent and clear regarding its position over South China Sea. He said, "China resolutely safeguards its sovereignty in the South China Sea and maritime rights, and at the same time upholds controlling disputes with relevant countries via negotiations and consultations". On the other hand, Vietnam's foreign ministry also released a statement on this matter. Vietnamese spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang officially said, "Without Vietnam's permission, all actions undertaken by foreign parties in Vietnamese waters have no legal effect, and constitute encroachments in Vietnamese waters, and violation of international law". Even though neither China nor Vietnam explained anything regarding the recent standoff, Vietnam's Prime Minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc ordered his navy personnel on the waters to be vigilant over the growing development and to be ready for any kind of outbreak.

Under these circumstances, it is indeed necessary to understand the power politics that is unfolding over the South China Sea and how Vietnam is standing upfront and fearless against China. A Bloomberg report stated that China has forcefully asserted its claim to over 80% of the South China Sea by building military facilities and runways over disputed territories that are claimed by other nations. China has reportedly raised a navy of more than over 300 ships in South China Sea. China is usually infamous for applying less conventional means in settling the ongoing maritime disputes, and is also known for using well-equipped ships to patrol, conduct surveillance and provoke other nations to a great extent. Many maritime experts are of the opinion that the Chinese predominance has gone to such an extent that sometimes fishermen belonging to other nations are often harassed, beaten up and at times held for ransom. China is highly unlikely to show signs for resolving the conflict. The nation is stubborn on settling matters through one-on-one talks, mainly to avoid interference from any third party. However, such kind of dispute settling mechanism barely worked, with of course an exception to Philippines. Beijing was successful to bag a major diplomatic victory in convincing Philippines to become a 'friend' from an adversary on matters relating to the latter's claims on the South China Sea. And so happened in April 2018, when Philippines leadership followed Beijing's advice and changed its decision to raise its flag on the disputed territory. This incident marked a significant deviation from what United States was perhaps expecting.

Adversaries turning friends for Beijing, in case of the South China Sea conflict, is usually not taken positively by strategy enthusiasts across the region. Having adversaries, with different view-points are in some cases necessary, as it helps in maintaining a balance of power. Beijing's diplomatic success with Philippines could be a stepping stone towards restoring peace in the region, but that on the other hand minimizes the probability of having a check on the growing influence of China in the South China Sea. It is however true that not many countries in the region are willing to become friends with China, particularly on matters relating to maritime dispute. It is reported that China is trying to use the same technique to befriend Vietnam, like it did with Philippines. Chinese President Xi Jinping met Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, the Chairperson of National Assembly of Vietnam, on July 2019 and discussed matters on promoting friendship and deepening cooperation to lift their bilateral ties to new level.

Vietnam not necessarily shares Beijing's view that the South China Sea is China's own sea. Part of it belongs to Vietnam, and it has a strategy to defend every inch of it, as evidenced by the recent naval stand-off between the two countries. Vietnam has also been pushing for a pact that, if passed, will bar many ongoing Chinese activities in the South China Sea, such as, building artificial islands, blockades, missile deployments and the Air Defense Identification Zone. It therefore appears difficult for China to bring Vietnam into its purview, as Vietnam is fighting its way to make the nation capable of standing against China with all its might.

It is nearly time for China to realize that the more the opponents in the region, the more it involves other powers that act as third parties. For example, China's clash of interest with Vietnam over the disputed South China Sea is driving Vietnam closer to an enemy-turned-ally, United States of America. Reacting to the recent development in the South China Sea, between Vietnam and China, U.S.A responded to Vietnam's call. The State Department of American government had put out a statement expressing concerns over the Chinese attempt of aggression on oil and gas activity in the South China Sea in general, and China's interference into Vietnam's long-standing exploration and production projects in the region, in particular.

Even though Hanoi is tired of Chinese interferences in its oil and gas exploration projects, the former considers China to be a significant partner, and has pursued a long-standing strategy in maintaining its relation with China. Hanoi appreciates its ties with Beijing, despite its ongoing South China Sea dispute with the latter, and it is because how important its massive northern neighbour is to the country's security and economic well-being, as well as the ideological affinity that exists between both ruling communist parties. However, the Chinese predominance in the region overwhelms the countries' partnerships. United States and Hanoi seem to be on the same page regarding the growing Chinese supremacy in the concerned region. This in turn is resulting in a strong alignment of interest between Hanoi and Washington in challenging China's maritime claims. Vietnam's objective in challenging China is to protect its lawful maritime interests in the South China Sea, whereas Washington is keen on curbing China's ambitions, which in a way is challenging the US influence in the region.

Amidst the recent developments in the South China Sea, Vietnam has been extra careful in abiding the international laws of the sea, and has restrained itself from projecting any extra-territorial ambitions, unlike China. China considers South China Sea as a vital choke-point as 70% of China bound crude and 90% of Chinese merchandize trade travels through the region. Therefore it is understandable for China who is trying to have a continued dominance in the region. However, the increased Chinese prominence is resulting in strategic tussle between US and China, and other parties involved, who have stakes in the region. In this regard, it is important for Vietnam to garner support from the regional powers as well from the international community, and bring this matter into limelight. It is necessary for Vietnam to put up a strong show in containing China, in its assertive approach towards Vietnam's EEZ, and having backing from other nations is equally important to restore a balance of power in South China Sea. Countries like USA, Japan, India, Australia and ASEAN nations in totality have great influence and considerable presence in the Indo-Pacific, and therefore, their support for Vietnam in the South China Sea conflict against China could also serve their purpose in maintaining their position in the region, without being overwhelmed by the Chinese presence in the backyard.

(Ms. Sonia Dey is a Research Fellow at Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi. The views expressed are personal.)
Email: [email protected]