This episode covers the current state of Sino-Vietnam relations in light of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s official visit to China this year and the recent last-minute cancellation of a military exchange on the countries’ border due to territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Our guest, Professor Alexander Vuving helps to break down the major controversies in the bilateral relationship including territorial disputes, conflict over use of the Mekong, trade imbalances, and Vietnam’s military relationship with the U.S. He further discusses the risks involved in the relationship as well as potential stabilizing factors. The podcast concludes with a consideration of Vietnam’s relationship with the U.S. and other ASEAN nations and how these relations affect China.
Dr. Alexander Vuving is a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu where he teaches international relations and security issues in the Asia-Pacific. Dr. Vuving was previously a professor at Tulane University, and a Research Fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Kennedy School of Government. His research interests cut across international relations, comparative politics, and historical sociology.