Former Air Defense General Jean-Vincent Brisset has suggested that Vietnam bring China to the international arbitration court as an effective way of dealing with China's violation of international law.| Beats holing up in an indefensible valley... |
Brisset: Vietnam should immediately convene a conference of ASEAN countries involved in the territorial dispute [the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and even Indonesia] to reach consensus on reactions to China. ASEAN countries should be aware that a single nation is unable to confront China in the long run.
Vietnam needs to enhance communications overseas, for instance publishing more video clips that show Chinese ships firing water cannons at Vietnamese coast guard and fishing vessels near the rig, to unmask China's provocation.
VOV: As a leading expert on China, how do you view China's strategy in the East Sea following its oil rig placement?
Brisset: This is part of China's long-term strategy aimed at controlling the entire East Sea. They carefully premeditate every step, and their strategy is targeted at related nations, one after another, so that ASEAN cannot produce a strong common reaction altogether.
Regional countries must realise that China is emerging and this trend will continue with stronger actions in the near future. This is the naked truth and the sooner you deal with it, the more you counterbalance the risk.
VOV: Do you think there is a military risk in the region?
Brisset: Not really at the moment. China is aware that a military conflict means the whole world will adopt another stance towards it, and condemn its action. Therefore, China strives to avoid a military conflict over territorial tensions in the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.
However, there is a high risk of serious collision between the two sides' vessels at sea, and a loss of temper could lead to escalation.