What's happened
China and Vietnam are holding their first joint army exercise in Guangxi, aiming to deepen military cooperation amid ongoing regional tensions. The exercise follows increased diplomatic and military engagement, despite territorial disputes and US trade tensions affecting Vietnam's economy.
What's behind the headline?
The joint army exercise signals a strategic shift in China-Vietnam relations, emphasizing military cooperation over territorial disputes. This move likely aims to counterbalance US influence and regional tensions. The exercise's timing, amid ongoing South China Sea disputes and US trade tensions, suggests China seeks to solidify its influence and demonstrate military unity with Vietnam. While Vietnam balances economic ties with China and the US, this cooperation indicates a pragmatic approach to regional security. The exercise could deepen military ties but also risks escalating territorial disputes if not managed carefully. Overall, this development underscores China's broader strategy to expand regional influence through military diplomacy, even as it navigates complex economic and territorial issues.
What the papers say
The Japan Times reports that the exercise aims to strengthen practical cooperation between the Chinese and Vietnamese militaries, taking place in Guangxi, bordering Vietnam. Bloomberg confirms the exercise's location and purpose. The South China Morning Post provides detailed context, noting the deepening military ties despite territorial disputes, including joint patrols, high-level visits, and military exercises, and highlights the broader regional implications, including China's assertiveness in the South China Sea and Vietnam's balancing act. The articles collectively suggest this is a strategic move by China to reinforce regional influence and military cooperation, amidst ongoing territorial and economic tensions.
How we got here
Recent months have seen China and Vietnam strengthen military ties through joint patrols, high-level visits, and military exercises, despite longstanding territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The exercise in Guangxi marks a significant step in their cooperation, amid broader regional tensions and China's strategic interests in the area.
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Common question
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What is China's first joint military exercise with Vietnam?
China and Vietnam have recently conducted their first joint military exercise in Guangxi, marking a significant step in their military cooperation. This move comes amid ongoing regional tensions and territorial disputes, raising questions about the implications for regional stability and international relations. Below, we explore what this exercise involves, why it’s happening now, and what it means for the broader geopolitical landscape.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a country in Southeast Asia and the easternmost country on the Indochinese Peninsula. With an estimated 96.2 million inhabitants as of 2019, it is the 15th most populous country in the world. Vietn