Recently, a fleet of Chinese warships made a stop in Vietnam, sparking attention after both countries had discussions about working together on joint maritime patrols. This visit, which took place in Da Nang on Vietnam’s east coast, included two key ships: the Changsha, a powerful destroyer, and the Jinggangshan, an amphibious warfare ship. According to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which is in charge of China’s military, Vietnamese navy officials and Chinese diplomats welcomed the fleet when it arrived on Saturday.
This visit is important because it came just days after China and Vietnam held talks in Guangzhou, a southern city in China, to discuss joint patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin. The two countries share a long history of disagreements over parts of the South China Sea, and while tensions still exist, their cooperation in maritime security has been growing.
Joint Patrols and Close Cooperation
The naval visit followed a four-day meeting between the two countries’ navies in China. During these talks, the focus was on how to manage the Gulf of Tonkin, a body of water shared by both nations. This area is particularly sensitive because both countries claim parts of it, and there have been ongoing disputes about fishing rights, oil exploration, and other maritime activities.
Diaspora Espionage: China’s Secret Network of Shadow Influence
Vietnam and China agreed on a mechanism for joint patrols to help manage the waters. These patrols aim to ensure security and prevent illegal activities such as fishing violations or smuggling. In fact, just before the port visit, the two countries’ coastguards conducted their fourth joint patrol in the northern part of the Gulf of Tonkin. The patrol involved vessels from both China’s Guangxi Zhuang region and Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province.
This is a significant move because it shows both countries are willing to cooperate on maritime issues, despite their ongoing territorial disputes. The joint patrols help to strengthen trust and coordination between the two countries. They also help ensure that both China and Vietnam have a say in how the waters are managed, reducing the risk of conflict.
Tensions Remain Amid Cooperation
While China and Vietnam are increasingly working together, tensions between the two nations are far from over. One of the major sources of disagreement remains the South China Sea, an area rich in resources like oil and gas. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, which overlaps with Vietnam’s territorial claims, especially in the eastern waters known as the East Sea. Both countries also have competing claims to the Paracel and Spratly Islands, which are located in this region.
Yellen Warns of New Sanctions on China and Russia’s Oil ‘Dark Fleet
Recently, China made a controversial move by declaring a new territorial line in the Gulf of Tonkin. This line extends over a larger area than what is currently recognized by international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Vietnam, which also claims parts of this area, has responded by ramping up its activities in the region, including land reclamation projects and military drills.
Despite these disputes, Vietnam and China have held several high-level meetings this year, signaling their desire to maintain a working relationship. For example, China’s Foreign Minister and Vietnam’s counterpart met in Beijing in December, and earlier this year, Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Hanoi. These exchanges are part of efforts to reduce tensions and explore areas of cooperation, such as public security and defense, through a new “3+3” dialogue format.
While both countries continue to disagree on key territorial issues, their increased engagement shows that they are trying to balance their differences with practical cooperation. The ongoing naval visits and patrols are a sign that they are willing to address maritime security together, despite the challenges posed by their competing claims in the South China Sea.
