As Dispute With China Escalates, Vietnam Encourages Nationalism and Resistance

[Valin]

The Feed:

1/15/14

 

Something unusual is starting to happen in Vietnam. For the first time, Vietnamese authorities are encouraging public discussion and even celebration of a historic battle with China over disputed islands in the South China Sea. In state-run media, in public demonstrations, and in the daily activities of fishermen, Hanoi is encouraging Vietnamese citizens to confront China in a more aggressive and more prominent way than anything in recent memory.

 

The story begins in 1974, when the America-backed South Vietnam government fought a battle against Chinese forces near the disputed Paracel Islands. The Vietnamese were defeated: Three of four ships retreated, the fourth sank with the captain aboard, and China gained control of the islands. Over the years, China has built up some of the larger islands. One, Yongxing Island, is inhabited by perhaps 1,000 people and is the seat of a newly established prefecture within the province of Hainan.

 

Until recently, there was barely any mention of the 1974 battle in Vietnam. It is not recorded in the history books used by students. That’s all changing, according to an excellent article by Nga Pham at the BBC:

 

(Snip)

 

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FYI

 

Wikipedia: Battle of the Paracel Islands

[Valin]

Vietnam marks 40th anniversary of China's invasion of Paracel Islands

Conflict with China in 1974 over the contested Paracel Islands marked for first time by Hanoi

1/19/14

 

Protesters mark the invasion's anniversary yesterday. Photo: AP

 

Activists chanted anti-China slogans and laid flowers yesterday at a protest in Hanoi marking the 40th anniversary of the Chinese invasion of contested islands in the South China Sea.

 

In 1974, as US troops withdrew from Vietnam, China invaded the Paracel Islands, called the Xisha Islands by Beijing and the Hoang Sa Islands by Hanoi. The islands had been held by the US-backed South Vietnamese regime.

 

More than 70 Vietnamese soldiers died during the invasion. China has controlled the island chain ever since.

 

(Snip)