America and Vietnam Are New Allies

At a time when many nations are concerned with China’s increasing military power, Vietnam held for the first time ever high-level defense talks with its former enemy, the United States. Since establishing diplomatic relations fifteen years ago, this is the first time the two countries have had these high-level defense conferences.

Robert Scher, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for South and Southeast Asia, and Nguyên Chi Wing, Vietnamese deputy defense minister participated in bilateral defense discussions.

At a joint press conference, Scher said that “this is the next significant historic step in our increasingly robust defense relationship which is based on mutual trust, understanding and respect for independence and sovereignty.” He added, “I did share at the meeting our impressions of Chinese military modernization.”

Nguyên Chi Yong said that Vietnam supports China’s development. “We believe and hope for China’s emergence. China’s rapid rise will not infringe upon other countries’ sovereignty and authority, and will also contribute to the area’s overall safety.”

Security talks between the two countries began in 2008, after the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry and the U.S. State Department took charge of the diplomatic relationship between the two.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Defense presented to the U.S. Congress China’s annual military report. The report predicts that the Chinese Navy will intensify their activities in the South China Sea.

In 2009, The U.S. Seventh Fleet’s aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis became the first U.S. aircraft carrier to have an on-board Vietnamese military delegation. The Seventh Fleet’s flagship Blue Ridge has subsequently been visited. In November 2009, the United States dispatched the guided missile warship, Everett F. Larson, to visit Da Nang, Vietnam. The guided missile destroyer USS John McCain just this month parked in Da Nang, Vietnam, and is set to go out to sea with the Vietnamese Navy to further its training and defense exchange program.