China, Vietnam settle long-disputed land border

[gpit]

http://www.france24.com/en/20081231-china-vietnam-settle-long-disputed-land-border

by Frank Zeller

Communist China and Vietnam on Wednesday said they had settled their long disputed land border, only hours before a deadline was due to expire and nearly 30 years after they fought a border war.

Beijing and Hanoi -- who normalised relations in 1991 and are now major trade partners -- have sought to overcome a history of conflict and distrust to turn the former battlefields into a transnational economic growth area.

Government teams from both sides have worked for years to plant border stones to mark their approximately 1,400 kilometre (870-mile) frontier in the remote and mountainous region, to meet a 2008 deadline agreed nine years ago.

On New Year's Eve, hours before the midnight deadline, both sides issued a joint statement in Hanoi saying they had "finalised the demarcation and placement of markers along the entire land border between Vietnam and China."

The countries, represented by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and his Vietnamese counterpart Vu Dung, hailed the agreement as "an event of great historical significance for relations between Vietnam and China."

They said it was the first time China and Vietnam had defined a clear territorial border with modern landmarkers, and they pledged to work for "peace, stability and mutual development in the border areas."

Next February 17 marks 30 years since China invaded Vietnam, sparking a month-long border war that claimed tens of thousands of lives.

China -- having backed Hanoi during the Vietnam war -- then sought to punish Vietnam for invading Cambodia in 1978 and ousting the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime of Pol Pot, the radical Maoist leader who was backed by Beijing.

When China officially declared war, it also cited the alleged mistreatment of Vietnam's ethnic Chinese and Hanoi's occupation of several of the Spratly Islands, a territorial dispute which has yet to be resolved.

Four weeks after fighting began, China suddenly withdrew, with both sides claiming victory, although skirmishes continued for years.

By most historical accounts the Sino-Vietnamese war ended in a costly stalemate for China against battle-hardened Vietnamese troops. China eventually tallied 26,000 dead combatants and Vietnam an estimated 37,000.

The border area remains littered with landmines which, according to a Xinhua report this week, have killed and maimed thousands of Chinese since.

Today China and Vietnam, despite the lingering maritime dispute, say they plan to turn the land border zone into a region of "peace and prosperity".

Under the plan, Vietnam's poor far-north is set to be transformed with industrial projects and new road and rail links that would connect China's Yunnan and Guangxi provinces with Vietnam's Haiphong seaport.

The economic corridors, part of a web of highways linking China with Southeast Asia, would help boost annual two-way trade to a targeted 25 billion dollars by 2010 from 16 billion dollars last year.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in October visited Beijing, striking political agreements and business deals, including in oil exploration.

The two sides, however, did not settle the hot-button issue of the Spratlys, a strategic and possibly oil and gas rich island chain in the South China Sea also claimed by Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The dispute -- in which Chinese naval vessels have in the past fired on Vietnamese fishing boats -- has stirred strong nationalistic passions on both sides and sparked rare anti-Beijing street protests in Vietnam.

 

[Niazi9]

Dont 'eff with Vietnamese. That is all. :p

Kicked the French, US and Chicom asshats collectively while writing the book of Guerrilla warfare.

 

[Patriot]

Yeah man Vietcong were highly trained!I was shocked when i saw number of US Soldiers casualties in Vietnam.

 

[gpit]

Brief History of Vietnam

Relationship with China
Around 2500 BC, Vietnam was a part of the unified Chinese Qin Empire, called Xiang Prefecture (象&#37089, which also included parts of Guangxi.

In 111 BC, Emperor Wudi of Han China[?] (漢武&#24093 sent armies to the southernmost tip of Vietnam, Cochin. And for the next millennium, the Chinese technology (such as agriculture) and art (such as writing system and literature) were introduced to Vietnam, establishing a close relationship between the two places. However, many Vietnamese commoners were not fully Sinicized, and there were those, such as the Trung Sisters in 39 CE, who resisted the changes and influences.


Dynastic Period
Since 939, it had been a partially independent kingdom, a tributary to the Emperors of China. In 1009, the Ly dynasty, Vietnam's first independent dynasty, was proclaimed. The "four great dynasties" of Vietnam refers to the Ly, the Tran, the Later Le, and the Nguyen. The last dynasty, Nguyen dynasty, declared its monarchs to be emperors.

There are over ten recognizable dynasties in Vietnam's history. Occasionally, some of which are not considered official, such as the Southern and Northern Dynasties, and the Tay Son dynasty.

Almost all Vietnamese dynasties are named after the ruler's family name, unlike the Chinese dynasties, whose names are an attribute chosen by the first emperors.


The Ngo Dynasty[?] (吳&#26397 (939-965): 2 rulers
The Rebellion of the Twelve Military Chiefs[?] (945-968)
The Dinh Dynasty[?] (丁&#26397 (968-979): 1 ruler
The Former Le Dynasty[?] (前黎&#26397 (980-1009 ): 4 rulers
The Ly Dynasty[?] (李&#26397 (1010-1225): established by Ly Cong Uan (李太&#31062, whose posthumous name is Ly Thai To (李太祖 8 rulers
The Tran Dynasty[?] (陳&#26397 (1225-1440): 12 rulers
The Ho Dynasty[?] (胡&#26397 (1400-1407): 1 ruler
The Ming Dynasty of Chinese Empire (1414-1427): ruled as the Buzheng Delegate-Officialdom of Cochin (交趾布政使&#21496.
The Le Dynasty[?] (Later Le Dynasty) (後黎&#26397 (1428-1527): 10 rulers
The Southern and Northern Dynasties (南北&#26397 (1527-1592, 1627-1672)
The North Dynasty (1527-1592): the Mac (&#33707 family
The South Dynasty (1527-?): the Nguyen family
The Third Le Dynasty[?] (1592-1627): the Trinh (&#37165 family
The Tay Son dynasty[?] (西山&#26397 (1778-1802): 3 simultaneous rulers: the Nguyen Brothers; predecessor to the following Nguyen Dynasty
The Nguyen Dynasty (阮&#26397 (1802 - 1945): 13 rulers


The Changing Names
Vietnam was called Dai Co Viet (大瞿&#36234 during the Dihn Dynasty in the 11th century. 500 years later, Thanh Tong (聖&#23447 of the Le Dynasty named the nation Dai Viet (大&#36234. In 1174, during the reign of Anh Tong (英&#23447 of the Ly Dynasty, the Chinese Empire officially let his nation to be called Annam. The Ly Vietnam was divided into five circuit.

In 1802, Emperor Gia Long of the Nguyen request the Qing Empire to allow his country to be known as Nam Viet (南&#36234. The next year, the Emperor of China gave Gia Long the title "Grand King of Vietnam," hence the modern name. In 1838, during the Nguyen Dynasty, the nation's name was changed temporary to Dai Nam (大&#21335.

Vietnam had been divided into the Three Bo (三&#22331, which included the Northern Bo (since the French Occupation, Tonkin), Central Bo (Annam), and Southern Bo (Cochin China).


Occupations

France
Under the orders of Napoleon III of France, the landing of French forces in the port of Tourane, (present-day Danang[?]) in August 1858, heralded the beginning of the colonial occupation which was to last almost a century. In 1884, the French had complete control over the country, which now formed the largest part of French Indochina. However, the French allowed the Vietnamese to keep their monarchy. The last Emperor was Bao Dai, who ruled until 1954/55.


Japan
In 1940 during World War II, coinciding with their ally Germany's invasion of France, the Japanese invaded Indochina. While they did not eject the French administration, the Japanese directed policy from behind the scenes in a parallel of Vichy France. As far as Bao Dai and the Vietnamese were concerned, this was now a kind of double-puppet government. This arrangement lasted until March 9, 1945 when the French were overrun and Bao Dai had little option but to switch allegiance to Japan.


True Independence
The Japanese surrendered to the Allies in August 1945, and the Communist Viet Minh under Ho Chi Minh aimed to take power. Due to the Japanese associations, Ho was able to persuade Bao Dai to abdicate on August 25, 1945, handing power to the Viet Minh -- an event that greatly enhanced Ho's legitimacy in the eyes of the Vietnamese people. Bao Dai was appointed "supreme adviser" in the new government in Hanoi, which asserted independence on September 2.

Vietnam descended into violence -- rival Vietnamese factions clashing with each other and with the French. The First Indochina War lasted until 1954, when the Viet Minh won a major victory at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.

The USA, nervous since the war of Ho Chi Minh's communism, became strongly opposed to the idea of a Vietnam run by Ho after his government of the north, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, in 1950 gained recognition from the Soviet Union and China. In the south in the same year, the government of Bao Dai in Saigon was recognized by the United States and Great Britain, but did not enjoy wide popular support.

The 1954 peace deal, between the French and the Viet Minh, involved a Chinese-inspired, supposedly temporary partition of the country into North and South. Bao Dai had intentions to to take full control of South Vietnam, and from his home in France appointed the religious nationalist Ngo Dinh Diem as Prime Minister. However, in 1955 Diem used a referendum to remove the Emperor and took control of the South himself, managing to win American support.

In response to the failure of establishing unifying elections, the National Liberation Front (NLF or Viet Cong) was formed as a guerrilla movement in opposition to the South Vietnamese government. (The RVN and the US referred to the NLF as Viet Cong, short for Viet Nam Cong San, or "Vietnamese Communist". The NLF itself never went by this name.) In response to the guerrilla war, the United States began sending military advisors in support of the government in the South. This escalated into what is called the Vietnam War, or the "Second Indochina War".

The war lasted until 1975, when the North finally gained control over all of Vietnam. In 1976, Vietnam was officially reunited under the North Vietnamese government as "The Socialist Republic of Vietnam".

http://wikipedia.ws/wikipedia/hi/History_of_Vietnam.html

 

[shchn2]

Yeah man Vietcong were highly trained!I was shocked when i saw number of US Soldiers casualties in Vietnam.

because they got almost unlimited support from China/Russia. I have family members fought there for years helping them defending the invasion.

 

[Niazi9]

because they got almost unlimited support from China/Russia. I have family members fought there for years helping them defending the invasion.

PRC did assist during the early war effort but that ended when Nixon came to power. Read up about the border war with the chicoms. They summarily embarrassed invading Han forces. Vietnam was never under PRC influence post 1970 and were a Soviet proxy.

Heck the Russians just left Cam Ranh Bay naval base 2years ago although they still have significant SIGINT operation there.

 

[TOPGUN]

Now only one day soon if the kashmir issue can get somewhere!!

 

[gpit]

In most part of its history, Vietnam is either a part of China or a tributary state to China. The two countries share many traditions and cultures.

In modern days, nearly in every social aspect, be it in ideology, social policy, opening-up, entertainment…, Vietnam follows China step by step. As a matter of fact, lots top Vietnamese Communist leaders and army generals were trained in China.

I remember reading an article about a Chinese businessman specialized in internet games. He said he was surprised to find that his games were so popular in Vietnam that entering Vietnam game market made him very rich.

There is no reason why Vietnam and China shouldn’t be good neighbors.

 

[gpit]

...

Both your posts demonstrate your lack of intelligence in history.

Vietnam generals and communist leaders are not that short lived: they were trained in China (of course Soviet as well) from 30’s to 70’s and your ignorance tells you they are not influenced by China in 70s?

 

[Niazi9]

In most part of its history, Vietnam is either a part of China or a tributary state to China. The two countries share many traditions and cultures.

In modern days, nearly in every social aspect, be it in ideology, social policy, opening-up, entertainment…, Vietnam follows China step by step. As a matter of fact, lots top Vietnamese Communist leaders and army generals were trained in China.

I remember reading an article about a Chinese businessman specialized in internet games. He said he was surprised to find that his games were so popular in Vietnam that entering Vietnam game market made him very rich.

There is no reason why Vietnam and China shouldn’t be good neighbors.

Spoken like a true Han Imperial. China was Vietnam's friend as long as they submitted to their dictate.

I suppose Tibet, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan along with all of central Asia and Russian Siberia is also summarily part of the "tributory" states to the great Middle Kingdom.

Maoism subtly disguises the true racial/imperial ideology of the Han Chinese. Trust but verify. They are our partners out of convenience but that should not gloss over reality they are godless expansionist power.

 

[Communist]

because they got almost unlimited support from China/Russia. I have family members fought there for years helping them defending the invasion.

And China is in no way an aggressive nation like india... had China been so, it would have easily conquered the territories of the illegitimate indian empire during the Sino-indian war of 1962, as Chinese soldiers easily advanced over two kilometers into indian soil from the McMohan line that lies between China and India, because indian army men fled abandoning all their weapons after seeing the Chinese onslaught. Once started the war lasted very short and the Chinese victory on all fronts was decisive. In the northern sector of Aksai Chin and Ladakh they captured the Chusual airstrip area. In the eastern sector within four days the Chinese troops also captured Twang valley. In the face of strong Chinese offensive places like Walong, the strategic Sela pass and the key eastern sector town of Bomdila which was the gateway to the Assam plain and was just 25 air miles from that place, fell to them. The Assam town of Tezpur was now about to be taken over by the Chinese. At this juncture Nehru asked for immediate military help from USA and Britain. But before Nehru's asking for the help, China declared ceasefire and even made a retreat to get outside of the indian soil as China considered she is never an aggressive nation. Pakistan came out to be the most vocal critic of US' military presence in south Asia as hypocritic india after repeated warning of China had been engaged in pushing its army forward into China violating the McMohan line and also in helping and sheltering Tibetan Dalai Lamaite terrorist groups in Sikkim and other border areas. Thus China never compromised Tibet since Tibet had traditionally been Chinese.
So China will never invade Vietnam and Vietnam knows that very well than the media houses and reporters.

 

[gpit]

Spoken like a true Han Imperial. China was Vietnam's friend as long as they submitted to their dictate.

I suppose Tibet, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan along with all of central Asia and Russian Siberia is also summarily part of the "tributory" states to the great Middle Kingdom.

Maoism subtly disguises the true racial/imperial ideology of the Han Chinese. Trust but verify. They are our partners out of convenience but that should not gloss over reality they are godless expansionist power.

A happy thing to China (and the Chinese in general) is that China has resolved yet another history-left land dispute with its neighbor.

India, up to today, resolves NONE of its land dispute with ANY of its neighbors.

While India is justified not to be responsible for historical vestiges, it is India's responsibility to solve those problems today.

Of course, a fool-proof consequence of resolving those border problems is that democratic India politicians can’t play those cards any more to shore-up their own interest. That is perhaps why India, a country never lacked Wiseman in history, looks so pale intellectually on that aspect.

 

[Niazi9]

A happy thing to China (and the Chinese in general) is that China has resolved yet another history-left land dispute with its neighbor.

India, up to today, resolves NONE of its land dispute with ANY of its neighbors.

While India is justified not to be responsible for historical vestiges, but it is India's responsibility to solve those problems today.

Of course, a fool-proof consequence of resolving those border problems is that democratic India politicians can’t play those cards any more to shore-up their own interest. That is perhaps why India, a country never lacked Wiseman in history, looks so pale intellectually on that aspect.

Who said anything about India? Compared to China they are downright impotent. Just cause we share a common enemy doesn't entitle me to put on blinders when it comes to China.

 

[gpit]

This is what you said.

Spoken like a true Han Imperial. China was Vietnam's friend as long as they submitted to their dictate.

I suppose Tibet, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan along with all of central Asia and Russian Siberia is also summarily part of the "tributory" states to the great Middle Kingdom

Why don't you be alarmed by a bigger imperialist in Asia, or SA to be more precise?

 

[gpit]

Young Vietnamese are earger to study in China. This is mainly for:

1) closer cultrure and tradition.

2) huge Chinese business presence in Vietnam. Young people love big bucks, of course.

3) lower cost of living and education compared to other developed countries.

...

South Korea, Japan, the United States, Vietnam and Indonesia are the top five countries that have the largest numbers of international students in China, numbered 35,353, 12,765, 3,693, 3,478, and 2,563 respectively. Other countries, which have over 1,000 students in China, are Thailand (1,554), Germany (1,280), Russia (1,224), Nepal (1,199) and Mongolia (1,060).







International Students in China - WORD EDUCATION INFORMATION - WEI.MOE.EDU.CN