A Study On The Military Relations Between U.S. And Vietnam Since The Normalization

Since the normalization in 1995, the U. S.-Vietnam relations has witnessed rapid development, especially in political and economic fields. However, due to a variety of reasons, the bilateral military relations developed slowly. In recent years, with the background of the U.S. strategy of "Back to the Asia-Pacific ", and the sovereignty dispute over the South China Sea between Vietnam and China, the military relations between U. S. and Vietnam accelerated obviously, which raised a lot of concerns. On the basis of describing the history of the military relations since the normalization, this article attempts to summarize its characteristics, analyze the facilitating factors and obstacles, and forecast its future.Since the normalization, the bilateral military relationship has gone through three stages. From 1995 to 1999, the two countries began to contact limitedly in military field. At this stage, sporadic official visits and exchanges, especially the bilateral cooperation on the issues of remnants of war have deepened mutual understanding, conducive to both accurately grasp each other’s intentions. However, the military relations is extremely limited. From 2000 to 2007, the military relations developed deeply. In 2000, the visits on Vietnam by Cohen and Clinton accelerated greatly the development of bilateral military relations, and High-level exchange increased and became more institutionalized. In 2003, Vandergrift’s visit on Vietnam opened the prologue of "Warship Diplomacy" between the two countries. In 2005, Vietnam joined International Military Education and Training program which was hold by the United States, the bilateral military relations became more pragmatic than before. When Obama administration introduced the strategy of "Back to the Asia-Pacific" and the sovereignty dispute over the South China Sea broke out after 2008, the military relations has been further strengthened. Mechanisms of bilateral and multilateral defense dialogue were established. The two sides also began to cooperate in the specific fields of military medicine, civilian nuclear energy and others.The military relations has improved so much since the normalization. But as a whole, the level is not high, and has a color of pragmatism. A variety of factors encourage the development of the relations together after normalization, especially in recent years. Because of "Back to the Asia-Pacific" strategy, the role of Vietnam is much more important for the United States. And for Vietnam, it wants to enhance the ties with the western countries after Doi Moi, take advantage of extraterritorial powers to counterbalance China in South China Sea dispute, and achieve military modernization. At the same time, there are many barriers in US-Vietnam military relations. Human rights, the remnants of war, the fear of Chinese suspicion and lack of strategic trust will hinder the development of bilateral military relations. Besides, political lobbying by the Vietnamese groups in the United States and nationalism in Vietnam are the important factors in the development of the US-Vietnam military relations. Although the relations will further develop probably, there are many bottlenecks. The United States is almost improbable to back to Cam Ranh Bay. Mutually, it will continue refuse to cancel the arms sales restriction completely which Vietnam requests. At the same time, domestic pressures and changes in the global and regional situation make it possible for the two countries to adjust their foreign policy, and the interest of the two sides to develop the relations with each other may decline. However, non-traditional security areas could become the focus of US-Vietnam military cooperation in the future.The military relations between the United States and Vietnam will inevitably impact China, which as an important third-party. China should continue to follow the road of peaceful development unswervingly, seek common grounds while reserving, build a "New Type of Great Power Relationship" with the United States and four-good relations (good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners) with Vietnam.