Publication

In light of unilateral territorial claims and diverging maritime interests between Vietnam and China in the South China Sea (SCS), this bulletin provides five recommendations for Washington, Hanoi and the South China region to address China’s aggressive behavior. These recommendations include 1) developing cost-imposition strategies to dissuade China from unilateral actions, 2) increasing US military deployment to Vietnam, 3) fostering dialogue and cooperation among SCS claimants, 4) ending the US ban on lethal arms sales to Vietnam, and 5) pressing Vietnam and other ASEAN members to support specific rules for maintaining good order at sea.