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Relations among Indochinese Countries under the Rise of China: Will China Affect Their Existing Unity?
Authors: Duong Trung Le
Number of views: 319
Over different periods in history, the relations of the three states of Indochina region – Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia – have always tied together and lived under China’s sphere of influences. However, with China involved in maritime disputes with Vietnam recently, it seems that the unity and cooperation of the Indochinese nations might be at risk with the appearance of China’s rise. How would leaders in Indochinese nations respond to China’s power in the region? Will the rise of Beijing weaken the identity and the common interests of Indochina as one single region and affect the regional unity? The writer provides an analysis of the China – Indochina relations since the ancient days. The primary argument is that while the governments of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia might hold different opinions towards China, however, for small states, a broken relationship with their neighbors will not provide positive outcomes. Past experiences and lessons have proved that despite different changing courses in history, the three Indochinese countries had always tried to maintain peaceful and coordinative relations.