Vietnam and the U.S.: Getting China Back into its Own Sandbox

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is in Vietnam meeting with his counterparts from the region in meetings to determine how to manage China's increased demands for maritime waters in the South China Sea. Backing those threats is China's promise to use economic retaliation. In response, Vietnam is now openly seeking U.S. support. China is going to be in attendance at these regional meeting. Mr. Gates, according to the New York Times, is facing a balancing act. He must assure the Asian allies that the U.S. is committed to the problem and ways of finding resolution. Equally important to the U.S. is the restoration of the military relationship between the U.S. and China. Mr. Gates is expected to remind China that's its dash to become a world superpower by stepping on other countries toes' will only harm its long term interests. Mr. Gates arrived in Vietnam on the celebration of the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of Hanoi. China and Vietnam have a bloody history over that millenia, but was buried during the Vietnam war as Vietnam received Chinese backing against the American forces. While the Russians have offered arms in response to curbing China's encroachment, the U.S. has only offered military education and officer training.

Margaret Nunne