"After the oil rig event, the relations between Vietnam and China have inevitably turned to a new phase that is totally different from the previous 23-year period since the two countries normalized relations," said Mr. Chu Cong Phung, former Secretary of the Embassy of Vietnam in China (1987-1991) and former Vietnam’s Ambassador to Myanmar (2009-2012) in an interview with VietNamNet.

Part 1: China slanders its neighbors by usurping the East Sea

Q: What lessons has Vietnam learned from the current East Sea dispute with China?

Mr. Chu Cong Phung.

A: In my opinion, there are some notable things, as follows:

First: Whenever the country is in danger, the people of Vietnam unite as one to form a unified block. The hearts of more than 90 million people of Vietnamese at home and abroad are heading to the East Sea.

Second: In the legal struggle with China, although China has raised a "big voice", they have not won any support from the international community, including Taiwan which shares the common stance with China on the East Sea issue.

In contrast, we have gained the support of public opinion from the major countries such as the U.S., Japan, Western Europe, India, Australia ... and most of the countries in Southeast Asia. Never before was there a proposal on the website of the White House, which asks the U.S. government to punish China for anchoring its HD-981 oil rig in the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Vietnam, had more than 130,000 signatures as of the end of May.

A petition with at least 100,000 signatures collected within 30 days will be considered by President Obama.

Third: Since China’s deployment of its oil rig in Vietnam’s waters on May 2, many articles criticizing China’s acts and asking the Vietnamese government to take China to the international court have been published in both print and online newspapers.

China’s oil rig also appeared in the exam questions of the literature and history subjects of general schools this year. I personally back the idea of Justice Minister Ha Hung Cuong, presented in the National Assembly session on May 28, on the need for the issuance of the Demonstration Law.

Fourth: There is good luck in misfortune. This is our chance to adjust our policies to reduce our dependence on China.

These days, the speeches by our leaders at all levels at home and international forums have shown that along with our readiness for bringing China to the International Court of Justice and our preparation for defense of territorial sovereignty, we have prepared the solution to reduce economic dependence on the Chinese market.

Q: In your view, how will the East Sea tension impact trade between the two countries?

A: In the last National Assembly session, deputies discussed response plans in case China closes the border, or reduces or stops its economic cooperation with and investment in Vietnam. I would like to note that:

First, in trade with China, up to 2/3 of the amount of goods are exchanged via the land border. Vietnam's exports to China account for only 30% of Vietnam’s total exports, mainly agricultural products and the latter only makes up 10% of Vietnam’s total exports of agricultural products.

The goods that Vietnam imports from China such as machinery and garment materials can be imported from other markets. Moreover, China has always had a trade surplus with Vietnam, so if China closes the border, the side that suffers more losses is not the trade-deficit side.

Second, China's FDI in Vietnam accounts for only 3% of the total direct foreign investment capital in Vietnam. If it lacks that 3% of FDI, Vietnam's economy still would develop normally.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, of the 10 major projects of Chinese contractors in Vietnam, many projects are running very slowly, with investment capital increasing. If China stops these projects, both parties will suffer, but they will suffer first.

I would also like to provide additional information, China is the largest direct investor in Myanmar with $14.2 billion, accounting for 30.6% of the total FDI in Myanmar, but in late 2011, to protect the environment and national security, Myanmar announced cancellation of the huge dam project Myitsone on the Irrawaddy River in the state of Kachin bordering with China, which is worth $3.6 billion, invested by China, when 1/3 workload was completed. China severely protested the decision but they still have to continue to invest in other projects.

Q: Should Vietnam bring China to the international court?

A: You know, during the last month many senior leaders of Vietnam have severely criticized China’s violation of Vietnam’s waters and proposed to take legal actions against this country, like the Philippines has done.

I think it's time we bring China to the International Court of Justice, using the international law to assert and defend the sovereignty of Vietnam.

The media has reported that on June 4, 2014, international arbitration tribunal in The Hague, the Netherlands announced that it would take December 15 as the deadline for China to submit its written file in response to the nearly 4,000 page documents of the Philippines, which was lodged in March 2013.

The same day, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry defiantly asserted: "China's stance has not changed. Beijing does not accept and does not participate in the arbitration proceedings relating to the Philippines".

China’s act only isolates it and prompts the international court to rapidly complete the procedures for the lawsuit. If the court issues a verdict that is beneficial for the Philippines, it would be a diplomatic blow to China, and will be a resounding legal victory for the Philippine.

On the proposal of China on "setting aside disputes and pursuing joint development" in the East Sea, instead of giving an answer, I would like to provide more information.

In 1992, China announced the "16-word motto" on joint development with neighboring countries, meaning sovereignty over the East Sea belongs to China, putting aside disputes for joint development and sharing benefits.

Ironically, if sovereignty belonging to China, how can it be “joint development”?

China has offered this recipe to Vietnam and Southeast Asian countries that have marine disputes with China, but so far, no country has accepted "joint development" of marine resources in the dispute waters with China.

In fact, China wants to "set aside dispute and pursue joint development" in the exclusive economic zone, continental shelf and territorial waters of Southeast Asian countries where China sees as disputed areas since they are within the U-shaped or cow tongue line that China invented.

In addition, the fact shows that in the "joint development" project, the smaller countries always suffer losses because the "temporary agreement" will become "permanent agreement" and "advantage" always belongs to the strong.

Q: How do you assess the relationship between Vietnam - China after the oil rig event?

I think the relations between Vietnam and China have inevitably turned to a new phase which is far different from the previous 23-year period since the two countries normalized relations.

The speech by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on May 22 in the Philippines has been warmly supported by Vietnamese people: “Vietnam desires to have peace and friendship, but it must be based on ensuring independence, self-reliance, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Vietnam never exchanges these sacred things for an ambiguous and dependent peace and friendship.”

Q: If China continues to encroach into the waters of Vietnam, what will happen?

A: The leaders of Vietnam have made it very clear: Vietnam asks China to withdraw its oil rig out of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Vietnam and the two sides will resolve all issues between the two countries by peaceful means.

Thank you!

Hoang Huong