As China's neighbor, Vietnam has a better understanding of China than it does of Vietnam. The Vietnamese know that China is an outstanding country with a centuries-old history and splendid civilization. They also remember the material and spiritual help provided by China.

Nowadays, the Vietnamese get their stories about China via newspaper and TV every day, and are glad to see that China has become the second biggest economy in the world.

It's unfortunate that some Chinese don't know enough about Vietnam.

Many groundless accusations - Vietnam is drawing the US into the South China Sea disputes, or the US is making Vietnam an ally to contain China - have repeatedly appeared on Chinese media reports, making Chinese believe such accusations are based on facts.

Seeking an independent, diverse and multilateral diplomacy, trying to make friends with countries all over the world, never allying with a country to confront another, never joining a military alliance and never allowing other countries to station troops in Vietnam, are the principles of Vietnam's foreign policy.

Vietnam has stated many times that it won't undertake any military cooperation with other countries in the Cam Ranh Bay.

Every time Vietnam conducts any activity with the US, some Chinese media immediately raise questions such as "Is Vietnam moving toward the US to confront China?"

In fact, compared with the activities between China and the US, the cooperation between Vietnam and the US is not even worth mentioning. Can Vietnam also say that China is allying with the US to confront Vietnam when China and the US cooperate?

The US pivot to Asia is a result of the country's strategic adjustment made out of its own interests.

The South China Sea issue is one of three problems left over from the history of Sino-Vietnamese territorial disputes. Through mutual efforts, the land border dispute has been resolved and demarcation of the Beibu Gulf has been completed.

As for the maritime issue, both sides should stick to negotiations, be calm and restrained so as not to affect the stability of the bilateral relations.

China and Vietnam should actively change ideas on transitional and short-term measures of joint cooperation and development and also seek a solution that is acceptable to both sides.

During the period of fighting for national liberation, the two countries supported each other. People from both countries know that friendship should be most valued and maintained in bilateral relations.



The author is former Vietnam ambassador to China. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn  

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