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The Forum > Article Comments > David and Goliath: Vietnam confronts China over South China Sea energy riches > Comments

David and Goliath: Vietnam confronts China over South China Sea energy riches : Comments

By John Daly, published 16/6/2011

China seeks hegemony in her neighbourhood, but the neighbours aren't happy.

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Interesting article

Competition for future oil (and other valuable resource) fields in the South China Sea is leading to a limited arms race - particularly regarding Vietnamese naval assets. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Vietnam-Reportedly-Set-to-Buy-Russian-Kilo-Class-Subs-05396/

Russia is believed to be building up to 6 Kilo submarines for Vietnam as well as helping Vietnam build (or rebuild) modern naval base(s). Not only Russia but India is interested in ship visits (a type of temporary basing) to Vietnamese bases.

This all seems to be about both:

- competition for regional maritime resources (most pointedly energy security), and

- a loose containment strategy against China that not only involves the usual suspects (the democracies) but also authoritarian Vietnam and Russia.

On an early report about the Kilo subs for Vietnam see http://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2009/12/tentative-vietnamese-plans-to-buy-kilo.html

Pete
Posted by plantagenet, Thursday, 16 June 2011 1:41:14 PM
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Not a bad piece. Doesn't mention how keen China is to avoid multilateral agreements, instead demanding things remain bilateral where they're got the advantage.

The map in this article spells out how illogical the Chinese claims are, regardless of history, and goes a long way to explain why they're not keep to engage in multilateral agreements.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8047206.stm

Predictably, over the last few days China has demanded other nations stay out.

This is all coming as China positions Indonesia as their new key ally in the pacific, which will necessitate military support and materiel, something which Australia may find a little unnerving.
Posted by TurnRightThenLeft, Thursday, 16 June 2011 9:49:23 PM
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