China’s actions in the South China Sea have been a topic of heated debate and concern for years. The region is claimed by several nations, including Vietnam and the Philippines. Despite similar issues, China has treated the two countries very differently when it comes to their claims in the South China Sea. Philippines faces the Chinese aggression but Vietnam is unscathed.
While China has been assertive and even aggressive toward the Philippines, its approach to Vietnam has been far more restrained. In recent years, there have been several reports of clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels, but there is little evidence of China taking similar steps with Vietnam. So, why does China treat these two neighboring countries so differently?
Political Relationships Shape Responses
One of the main reasons for China’s calm behavior toward Vietnam is their shared political system. Both countries are governed by communist parties, which have developed strong ties over the years. These party-to-party relations have played a significant role in shaping China’s approach. While there are still tensions over maritime disputes, the two countries have found ways to manage their differences through quiet diplomatic talks.
In contrast, China’s relationship with the Philippines is far more strained. The Philippines has a long-standing military alliance with the United States, which puts it at odds with China. This alliance has been growing stronger under the current leadership in the Philippines. The country has allowed the U.S. more access to its military bases and participated in joint exercises with other nations such as Japan and Australia. For China, these moves are seen as direct challenges to its dominance in the South China Sea.
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Strategic Economic Interests
China also has strong economic interests in maintaining a peaceful relationship with Vietnam. The two countries have been working on various infrastructure projects together, such as railways and initiatives tied to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. These projects create a level of economic interdependence that makes it difficult for China to take a hardline stance against Vietnam without jeopardizing its own economic goals.
In contrast, China has fewer economic ties with the Philippines. The country’s close ties with the U.S. and other Western nations make it less reliant on China’s economic support. This gives China less incentive to hold back when disputes arise, and the result is a more aggressive approach toward the Philippines.
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Vietnam Unscathed Even After Expansion
Another factor that explains China’s different responses is timing. While China has focused its attention on disputes with the Philippines, Vietnam has quietly expanded its own presence in the South China Sea. Reports indicate that Vietnam has been rapidly building up its land holdings in the region. However, unlike the Philippines, Vietnam has chosen not to publicize these activities or provoke China. This low-key approach has allowed Vietnam to be unscathed and make gains in the region without facing the same level of aggression as the Philippines.
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The Philippines, on the other hand, has taken a more confrontational approach. It has released videos showing clashes with Chinese vessels, including incidents where Chinese coast guard personnel allegedly attacked Filipino sailors. These incidents have brought widespread international attention, forcing China to respond more aggressively. China’s actions against the Philippines are, in part, a reaction to the country’s efforts to draw international attention to their disputes.
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The Influence of the U.S. Alliance
China’s biggest concern with the Philippines lies in its close military alliance with the United States. History of war between Vietnam and US is one of reason why Vietnam has remained unscathed. However, US-Philippines relationship has been a major point of tension, especially as the two countries have worked together on joint military exercises and other security initiatives. China sees the U.S.-Philippine alliance as a threat to its control over the South China Sea, especially since the U.S. has been vocal in its opposition to China’s actions in the region.
By targeting the Philippines, China is sending a message not only to Manila but also to other countries in the region. It wants to discourage other nations from following the Philippines’ example of aligning too closely with the U.S. China’s aggressive approach serves as a warning to others about the potential consequences of siding with Washington in the ongoing South China Sea disputes.
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Managing Risks and Priorities
At the same time, China has been careful not to stretch itself too thin. Aggressively targeting both Vietnam and the Philippines could strain its resources and lead to too many fronts of conflict. Vietnam’s quiet approach to managing the dispute has given China an excuse to focus its attention elsewhere. However, experts believe that if Vietnam were to adopt a more confrontational stance or align more closely with countries like the U.S., China might rethink its strategy and take a tougher approach.
In the meantime, China continues to walk a fine line, balancing its desire to maintain regional dominance with the need to avoid overextending itself. For now, its strategy seems to be working—Vietnam continues to expand its presence in the South China Sea without drawing the same level of attention or conflict as the Philippines. However, the situation remains fragile, and a shift in either country’s approach could change the dynamics in the region.
