Influence Of Vietnam On The South China Sea Issue And Possible Solutions To The China-vietnam Dispute Over The South China Sea

In recent years, the South China Sea issue has become a hot topic, escalatingfrom bilateral disputes into the current situation of “six countries and eight parties”.Therefore, the issue has raised many concerns from the international community.China-Vietnam dispute over the South China Sea is particularly noticeable. Associalist countries, China and Vietnam have deep historical relations between them.We can even say that the China-Vietnam relations enjoy unique advantages. However,Vietnam has occupied most of the Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea.Different from other claimants in the South China Sea issue, Vietnam has declaredclaim to the entire Spratly and Paracel Islands, playing a leading role in the SouthChina Sea issue.Given the important influence of Vietnam on the South China Sea issue and theuniqueness of their bilateral relations, the China-Vietnam dispute has become themost complex dispute in the South China Sea issue; meanwhile, it is also a good pointto make a breakthrough from so as to solve the South China Sea issue. China andVietnam have successfully solved through bilateral consultations and negotiations theland border issue left over from the history. We have reasons to look forward to thepeaceful settlement of their dispute over the South China Sea issue.From the current perspective, the differences between China and Vietnam arevery big, and the United States and other outside powers have never stopped theirinterference in the South China Sea issue. Therefore, it will be difficult for China tosafeguard national interests in the South China Sea by peaceful means while ensuringsmooth relations with Vietnam. However, with China’s comprehensive nationalstrength growing, the cost of interference for powers outside the region in the SouthChina Sea issue will be increasingly high, and the change in the balance of power willalso be in favor of China.The option of military means contains lots of risks, while the option ofinternational arbitration is undesirable. On this occasion, the present study holds thatthere remains a possibly pragmatic solution. This needs the non-interference of theUS on the China-Vietnam dispute. If China wants to reach this goal, China should take the benefit-sharing with US to some content into full consideration. On this basis,China could regain its sovereignty over the Nansha islands through joint development,transfer of some economic benefits, increasing economic influence on Vietnameseeconomy, and widening the power gaps, etc.If China and Vietnam could successfully solve their maritime dispute, it wouldbe a very positive example to the final solution to the South China Sea issue.