Timing is everything. The problem with the latter interpretation, however, is that the timing of the state-controlled oil rig moving into disputed waters seems extremely calculated. The device travelled into the South China Sea to drill right after President Obama's Asia trip and right before this year's annual ASEAN summit in Myanmar. There was originally talk that the main focus of the summit would be on Myanmar. But at the actual event over this past weekend, the focus pivoted to the events in the South China Sea between Vietnam and China.
However, Morrow suggests that this was not intentional, but merely happenstance. The timing was right for China as a country to act and it took the opportunity to move in and drill. China's ultimate goal is dominance in the South China Sea, not to start a war. So the scenario is just one small step in China's long-term strategy. But if China continues to antagonize Vietnam like this, you have to wonder if persevering Vietnamese protesters could gain momentum that will eventually erupt on a global scale.
Vietnam is uncharacteristically protesting. In addition to this morning's commotions, Vietnamese residents are putting their dissension of Chinese behavior on display. On May 11, over 1,000 people gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi to protest China. Some sang patriotic songs or held signs saying "Silence is cowardly" and "China don't steal our oil," according to the Guardian.
Vietnam has also fired back by ramming naval vessels into Chinese naval vessels, according to the NPR program The Takeaway. Additionally, on May 12, the Vietnamese Coast Guard's deputy chairman of the political department said, "As many as 15 Chinese ships had sprayed a Vietnamese vessel at the site with water cannons." The deputy chairman refuted claims that the Vietnamese vessel fired back.
The communist country is generally quiet — in recent years there have only been a few dozen protests, which are usually squashed quickly by security forces, the Guardian reported. So the recent uprising is unusual, particularly since Vietnamese law enforcement is actually allowing the protests to continue and escalate.
Is Vietnam the Next Most Likely Hot Spot for Inter
Timing is everything. The problem with the latter interpretation, however, is that the timing of the state-controlled oil rig moving into disputed waters seems extremely calculated. The device travelled into the South China Sea to drill right after President Obama's Asia trip and right before this year's annual ASEAN summit in Myanmar. There was originally talk that the main focus of the summit would be on Myanmar. But at the actual event over this past weekend, the focus pivoted to the events in the South China Sea between Vietnam and China.However, Morrow suggests that this was not intentional, but merely happenstance. The timing was right for China as a country to act and it took the opportunity to move in and drill. China's ultimate goal is dominance in the South China Sea, not to start a war. So the scenario is just one small step in China's long-term strategy. But if China continues to antagonize Vietnam like this, you have to wonder if persevering Vietnamese protesters could gain momentum that will eventually erupt on a global scale.