"Vietnam always respects China but Vietnam is never afraid of China"

Speaking with us, Associate Professor Dr. Vu Quang Hien, Faculty of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) affirmed that the act of placing the Haiyang 981 drilling rig deep into Vietnam's continental shelf and exclusive economic zone is a carefully calculated action by China to put pressure on Vietnam and some regional countries, continue to expand its influence, and move towards monopolizing the East Sea...

PV: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Quang Hien, more than a month has passed since China illegally placed the Haiyang 981 drilling rig in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and they have not hesitated to threaten violence and use violence, causing consequences such as sinking fishing boats and ramming Vietnamese law enforcement vessels. As a historian, what do you think?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Quang Hien: Personally, I am not too surprised by China's recent actions, because I understand China's strategy is their ambition for more than 80% of the East Sea area. In essence, the intention is to take over most of the East Sea.

Therefore, the placement of the Haiyang 981 drilling rig is just the next action after a long series of previous military, economic... expansionist actions by China that we have seen.

First of all, in the media, China regularly propagates false information about its sovereignty in the East Sea. Even on some Chinese flights flying to one place or another, there is always a map with false information showing Hoang Sa and Truong Sa as belonging to Vietnam's sovereignty within the so-called "cow tongue line" that China drew itself.

Not only that, some Chinese leaders also assert that this is the country's core interest, that is, taking the sovereignty of other countries as its core interest. Here, it is clear that China's great power ideology and hegemonic ideology are clearly exposed in nature.

In terms of military, with a series of actions in 1974, China opened fire to illegally occupy Vietnam's Hoang Sa archipelago and then occupied Gac Ma reef in 1988... also clearly showed their nature and hegemonic plot. Not to mention, China's brazen establishment of the so-called Sansha city, construction of an airstrip...

Not only that, Chinese ships have repeatedly rammed, collided, and even sunk fishing boats and cut cables of Vietnamese ships while they were operating normally in sovereign waters...

In different ways and at different levels, over the past time, and especially since China illegally placed the Haiyang 981 drilling rig, Vietnam has repeatedly spoken out against China's illegal and arrogant actions.

One thing that is also clear is that over the past month, although China has made many threats to use violence and has actually used it, we have persisted in the path of diplomatic and peaceful struggle. That is the necessary justice and righteousness and also demonstrates the peace-loving spirit of our people.

Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Quang Hien, Faculty of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi)

PV: Professor, can you explain why, even though China is a big country and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, they have such arrogant actions, blatantly violating international law?

Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Quang Hien:I think the Chinese people are not like that, but the Beijing leaders often say one thing and do another.

Here, there seems to be a rise of Great Han expansionism, a deep-rooted disease of ancient Chinese emperors who often considered themselves the leaders of the world, combined with chauvinism, big country, big nation, considering themselves the great truth and taking themselves as the reference system for all peoples and values ​​in this world.

Not only that, it seems that they also consider themselves to be the representatives of the world's moral and legal values, so they disregard everything.

In terms of morality, in its relations with Vietnam, China has said very nice and kind words, but its actions are completely opposite. It should also be said that while its leaders seem to speak very friendly to Vietnam, China's propaganda and press system often speaks badly of and slanders Vietnam.

All nations and countries are equal, but in relations with small countries, China never has equality but always has the mindset of a big country.

In addition, they have strong economic and military conditions, are a rising country, have a need for development and they always emphasize that the rise and need must be peaceful. However, peace cannot be based on disregard for morality and international law and cannot take the sovereignty of another country as one's own sovereignty.

PV: Professor, is it true that this nature has led to China always asking countries to respect history, but they are extremely stubborn and defiant of history?

Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Quang Hien:That is true. In terms of international law, China knows it is wrong and does not follow any law. That is why China refuses to go to court with the Philippines.

So they want to use historical bases but what history is this? China always wants to orient towards history however, it is of their own making.

China's historical foundation is not solid or in other words, it does not exist, so they never dare to confront or dialogue, but only want everyone to recognize the fabricated history they created themselves.

It should also be added that China’s act of forcibly occupying the Hoang Sa archipelago and Gac Ma reef from Vietnam was a military action, not a peaceful occupation. And history has also recorded that China has never exercised its administrative rights over the Hoang Sa archipelago and the islands it is illegally occupying from Vietnam.

PV: Besides China's strengths, do you think this country has any weaknesses?

Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Quang Hien: I think that once we have to raise our voices, threaten, intimidate, threaten to use force... with other countries to hinder China's actions, that is a product of weakness.

These actions and products of militarism only tarnish the image of the country and Chinese leaders in the eyes of humanity, but never make China stronger. China's weakest point is its injustice.

The second weakness, as I have said, is that China has no legal or historical basis to assert its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago, the islands, and reefs that it has illegally occupied from Vietnam. China is weak in terms of justice, legality, and even its attitude and hooligan actions in the East Sea as in recent times.

PV: Can you elaborate on the statement that Vietnam always respects China but Vietnam is never afraid of China?

Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Quang Hien: This is a completely correct assessment. Vietnam always respects and is friendly with neighboring countries, whether big or small. Since ancient times, our ancestors have had the saying "sell distant brothers, buy close neighbors", because close neighbors in times of need will be there for each other faster than distant brothers. Obviously, if there are good neighbors, it is great.

We never speak ill of the Chinese people or country, but are very specific about what we say. Those are irrational actions, and are the responsibility of the Chinese government, not the Chinese people or country.

But even though we respect China, Vietnam has never feared China. Because, throughout our nation's history, the Northern dynasties, mainly China, have dominated Vietnam for thousands of years, and often sent troops to invade during the period of feudal autonomy, but they have never taken away the cultural features of our nation.

And no matter how strong the Northern dynasties were, they eventually had to give in. We always regained independence, autonomy, and sovereignty.

In the historical context, we may be humble towards China, but that is not weakness or fear, but only a desire for China to respect Vietnam's basic national rights. If the country's sovereignty and territory are violated, the Vietnamese people will still resolutely stand up, fight, and protect it to the end by all possible means.

PV: So, what do you think about taking this neighbor to court?

Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Quang Hien: Bringing China to international court is also a measure that we have proposed and this is a civilized way to solve the problem at this time. With our righteousness and history, it is certain that we will win the lawsuit in court.

However, this also requires careful consideration and preparation, and moreover, this is a measure that should only be taken when China forces us to do so.

Thank you for this interview!