Vietnam's President Truong Tan Sang shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, Nov. 10, 2014 in Beijing, China. (Photo : Getty Images)
Vietnam leader Vu Khoan revealed his thoughts on how smaller countries like theirs should deal with China amid increasing tensions brought about by maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
Former deputy prime minister of Vietnam Vu Khoan shared a piece of advice via India's Economic Times, relating it to how their ancestors reacted to China's actions while noting the sizeable difference between the two countries.
Khoan's statement comes ahead of a state visit by United States President Barack Obama to Vietnam.
Khoan's Advice
The Vietnamese leader said that no matter what happens, neighbors should strive to live together in harmony, even amid loggerheads.
"We understand that our country, in comparison with China, is a small one," he told the outlet, adding that it is a sensible way for a small country to make peace with a bigger nation. "Therefore, after each time our forefathers defeated China's invasions, we sent out emissaries to make peace."
"For thousands of years, we have always done it," he noted, saying that though it may be difficult to forget the painful results and consequences of a previous war, it is imperative for the countries to set aside their differences and make peace with each other in order to achieve national development.
However, he also warned China not to take advantage of a friendly neighbor, for there may come a time when that smaller country might become "allergic" to their deeds that do not match their words.
"Every coin has two sides," he warned. "We do not encourage extreme nationalism, but we should look back to see how China has treated us. Although they say friendship, they have invaded our territory. Ultimately, China must respect our nation and our sovereignty. Otherwise, Vietnamese will be 'allergic' to China."
Khoan's advice comes ahead of Obama's visit to Hanoi, which The Economic Times presumed to be a way of showing support for the Asian country in its maritime bout against China.
China-Vietnam Ties
China and Vietnam's relations remained friendly during the course of the decade.
One of the two countries' most recent consensuses involved Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan and the strengthening of China's "Belt and Road" initiative in 2015, per a backgrounder from the Xinhua News Agency.
In 2014, the two nations came across each other in the form of the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting held in Beijing which was attended by Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang.
