Thats what I am saying all along that Vietnam at least shouldnt had ever choosen side between China and Soviet split just as the North Korea stayed neutral, then all things worked out fine for North Korea, it was and is in good terms with both China and Soviet/Russia.You forget the events that led to the war 1979 VN/CN. That’s a cumulation of many things. Such events will never repeat. Vietnam fought on multiple fronts, with multiple enemies, the Japanese, the French, the US, the US coalition led by South Korea, then the civil war north/south, the war against Cambodia initiated by Red Khmer. On top the breakup China with USSR which forced VN to choose side.
Historically Vietnam always recognize China as the top dog in Asia.
The problem was North Vietnam was upset with China and US rapproachment in the early 70s. NV thought China was colluding with the US against Vietnam. But, the truth was not, NV just couldnt understand that China has other urgent concerns to deal with the US such as to relax the China US tension somewhat so China could focus to deal with the imminent threat of the Soviets that had one million men superior army stationed along its border with China at the time. You can tell that Chinese weaponary and material support to NV in the 70s remained steady and increasing even as China and US rapproachment occured.
Vietnam just had to understand that it was and is not in Chinas national interest to have a superpower army of hundreds of thousands men stationed and fighting in its neighbour country like Vietnam. More than anything, China wanted American army gone from Vietnam just as it wants Americam military out of South Korea now.
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