DSpace at VNU: The East Asia security environment in the beginning of the twenty-first century and the adjustments in Vietnamese foreign policy

DSpace at VNU: The East Asia security environment in the beginning of the twenty-first century and the adjustments in Vi...

This article was downloaded by: [Linnaeus University] On: 07 October 2014, At: 12:14 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Asia-Pacific Review Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/capr20 The East Asia Security Environment in the Beginning of the Twenty-first Century and the Adjustments in Vietnamese Foreign Policy Pham Quang Minh Published online: 15 Jul 2011 To cite this article: Pham Quang Minh (2011) The East Asia Security Environment in the Beginning of the Twenty-first Century and the Adjustments in Vietnamese Foreign Policy, Asia-Pacific Review, 18:1, 98-108, DOI: 10.1080/13439006.2011.582681 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13439006.2011.582681 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/termsand-conditions Downloaded by [Linnaeus University] at 12:14 07 October 2014 Asia-Pacific Review, Vol 18, No 1, 2011 The East Asia Security Environment in the Beginning of the Twenty-first Century and the Adjustments in Vietnamese Foreign Policy PHAM QUANG MINH International relations are social actions, and their expression is behavior of the states According to French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, the basis for any social action is habitus and capital (Bourdieu 1982) For Bourdieu, social action is not created in a vacuum but always takes place under certain social conditions Different social conditions create different spheres that Bourdieu called action fields The problem is that each field has its own rules, logic and goals Bourdieu also uses the metaphor of game to explain the concept of field Like the fields each game has also its own rules and logic In order to participate in the game players are required to have some knowledge of game, and capacity, skills, and last but not least the interests to play game The field of the Asia-Pacific region in the beginning of twenty-first century and especially during recent years is one of “center court” of the whole world involving all big players like the US, China, Japan, Russia and India Their presence with their own behavior and different abilities, interests make this field more interesting, but at the same time more complicated and unpredictable This article explores the different phases of Vietnam’s foreign policy since reform in 1986 and joining ASEAN and adoption of “Resolution No (section IX) on the Strategy for Fatherland Defence in the New Context” in 1995 Introduction I n recent years, the security environment of the East Asia region witnessed many complicated developments that worried its countries and the international com- ISSN 1343-9006 print; 1469-2937 online/11/010098–11 Routledge Publishing, Taylor and Francis,http//www.informaworld.com/ # Institute for International Policy Studies,http://www.iips.org/ DOI: 10.1080/13439006.2011.582681 98 Downloaded by [Linnaeus University] at 12:14 07 October 2014 The East Asia Security Environment in the Beginning of the Twenty-first Century munity The question is whether these developments are continuity or change This question is important because it helps us in defining the level and characteristics of these events so that we can make the appropriate readjustments in making policy I argue that the developments in the recent security environment of the region represent both continuity and change that require serious, fundamental, and comprehensive studies in the future The main objective of this article is to analyze the current regional security environment and to assess the readjustments in the Vietnamese foreign policy toward the region The article consists of four parts The first part analyses some main trends in the security environment focusing on the flux in the regional security environment mixes of different actors and trends The second part of the article presents the gradual adjustments in Vietnamese foreign policy in the period of 1986-2000 since Vietnam launched the reforms (Doi moi), in which the event of Vietnam joining ASEAN is considered as only the first step of the long integration process into the region The third part will assess the regional policy of Vietnam in the period of 2001-2010 of which the Eight Resolutions of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Communist Party (CPV) on “The Strategy on the Fatherland Defense in the New Circumstances” issued in 2003 on the Eighth Plenum of the Central Committee of the CPV is considered a turning point in Vietnamese foreign policy The fourth part of the article will provide some suggestions to strengthen the security cooperation between Vietnam and the regional countries The paper concludes with evidence that step-by-step, Vietnam is evolving in an emerging regional security mechanism and is endeavoring to play an active and constructive role Recent security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region How is the field of Asia-Pacific in the beginning of the twenty-first century characterized? In the report “Southeast Asia: Patterns of Security Cooperation” published by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute on September 30, 2010, Professor Carlyle Thayer analyzed the characteristics of the Southeast Asia strategic environment as being shaped by eight major trends They include “the global economic and financial crisis, China’s military modernization and transformation, the United States stepped-up engagement, increased arms procurements, the heightened importance of the maritime domain, the increasing salience of transnational security issues, the persistence of ‘everyday security challenges,’ and the evolution of the regional security architecture” (Thayer 2010: 2) Among these characteristics in the field of the Asia-Pacific, the most obvious trend is the dynamics of the emerging regional security architecture The complicated circumstances of the Asia-Pacific region is explained by a series of factors (Ikenberry and Mastaduno 2003) Among these factors there are different points of view on their nature and level First, according to liberalism, the regional peaceful ASIA -PACIFIC REVIEW V VOLUME 18, NUMBER 99 Downloaded by [Linnaeus University] at 12:14 07 October 2014 Pham Quang Minh environment is threatened mainly because of the lack of of three factors: liberal democracies, economic interdependence, and multilateral institutions Second, according to realism, the rise of China and consequently the power shift will create conflicts among big powers in reconstructing the regional order In the meantime, neorealism points out the possibility of a multipolar order leading to challenges for securing a balance of power in a peaceful way (Friedberg 1993/ 1994) Among evolving big powers it is obvious that Asia-Pacific is the field where competition takes place mainly between the US, China, Japan, and Russia In the competition for power between and among them, the dominant and main trend is between only the first two while the latter two still lack the geopolitical premises to become new poles in the Asia-Pacific political game (Ross 2010) That’s why most scholars are of the opinion that in the Asia-Pacific region there will be a bipolar order in which China would be one pole having dominance on the mainland while the US would be the other pole, but on the sea (Thayer 2009; Ross 2010; M Cook et al 2010) While emphasizing the primacy of both US and China in the Asia-Pacific region, another more careful consideration of the region security dynamics during the last decade shows that there could be also two other scenarios, namely a balance and a concert of powers An Asian balance of power would consist of big powers in the region like the US, China, Japan, and India, and its aim would be to prevent a single power from achieving dominance An Asian concert of powers would be established based on a shared agreement among big powers and would try to prevent a hegemonic war (Cook et al 2010) In short, the current security environment of the Asia-Pacific is at a crossroads combined and shaped by different patterns The first is security cooperation between the US and its allies, strategic partners, and promising strategic partners, making a strategic arc from the north to the south with the US as a hub and the others as spokes The second possibility of security cooperation would be led by China The third is the endeavors of ASEAN in establishing a regional security mechanism And last but not least there is multilateral defense cooperation between outside powers and some Southeast Asian countries like the cooperation between Britain, Australia, New Zealand with Malaysia and Singapore, and the anti-piracy campaign initiated by Japan (Thayer 2010:13-18) Joining ASEAN (1995)—the first integration step into Asia-Pacific region of Vietnam The main question is whether all countries including Vietnam can be aware of these changes and challenges so that they can make appropriate decisions for themselves Despite its Southeast Asian geographical location, Vietnam just became a member of ASEAN in the middle of the 1990s Therefore, the ASEAN membership could be 100 ASIA -PACIFIC REVIEW V MAY 2011 Downloaded by [Linnaeus University] at 12:14 07 October 2014 The East Asia Security Environment in the Beginning of the Twenty-first Century considered a turning point in Vietnam’s perception of the world as well as its foreign policy toward the region It is necessary to say that during a very short time, Vietnam has had timely and logical readjustments meeting with both internal and external challenges However, it was a long, gradual, and not a one-way process in perception changes of Vietnam on the region and the world Before 1986, when Vietnam officially launched the renovation policy, the resolutions of the Sixth National Congress of the Vietnam Communist Party still defined Vietnam as a member of the Communist camp led by the Soviet Union, and the relationship with the Soviet Union was a cornerstone in its foreign policy (VCP 1987) The end of the Cold War and the collapse of Eastern European countries and the Soviet Union by the end of 1991 shocked Vietnamese leaders and forced them to rethink their points of views Facing this situation, the VCP in its Seventh Congress in 1991 decided to follow a multilateral foreign policy and diversify its relations with other countries to help Vietnam escape the embargo which the US had imposed on Vietnam since Vietnam’s involvement in the Cambodian conflict in 1978 As evidence of the diversification of foreign relations, Vietnam reconsidered its relations with neighboring countries by deciding to apply for membership in ASEAN in 1992 It was not an easy decision for either Vietnam or ASEAN The Vietnam War, the post-war refugee problem, and especially the intervention of Vietnam in the Cambodia conflict cast a gloom over Southeast Asia A hostile and distrustful environment dominated the region until Vietnam decided to draw back all its military forces from Cambodia in November 1989 through resolution Number 13 of the VCP Politburo It opened the door for multilevel dialogues between ASEAN and Vietnam, between Cambodian parties, and between big powers including the US, Soviet Union, and China The Paris conference in November 1991 put an end to the Cambodian conflict and laid the foundation for a long peace in Southeast Asia The following events happened as the outcomes of mutual interests of both ASEAN and Vietnam In October 1993, Do Muoi—Secretary General of VCP—during his visit to Singapore, proclaimed the new four-point-policy toward Southeast Asia They included: First, Vietnam follows an independent, self-controlled, and multilateral foreign policy; second, to attach high importance to expand friendly relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific, with ASEAN and to join ASEAN at an appropriate moment; third, Vietnam indicated readiness to participate in bilateral and multilateral political and security dialogues with regional states; fourth, intention for peaceful negotiation for conflict resolution including the dispute in the South China Sea In comparison to the old four-point-policy toward Southeast Asia proclaimed by the Vietnamese government in 1976, the new policy showed that Vietnam was ready to cooperate with ASEAN on a basis of more trust and confidence From its side, ASEAN also welcomed the Vietnamese application, considering this important for strengthening the Association On July 28, 1995 Vietnam ASIA -PACIFIC REVIEW V VOLUME 18, NUMBER 101 Downloaded by [Linnaeus University] at 12:14 07 October 2014 Pham Quang Minh was admitted to ASEAN According to Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam, joining ASEAN was explained mainly by the fact that Vietnam needed to secure a peaceful environment for economic development, especially in the context that Vietnam was transforming its central-planned economy model to a market economy (Nguyen Manh Cam 1996) In addition, ASEAN membership could enhance the position of Vietnam in international negotiations and meetings Especially in the context of the collapse of Soviet Union and Communist camp, ASEAN membership helped Vietnam in overcoming the period of isolation from the regional and international community and related identity crisis However, frankly speaking, the participation of Vietnam in the region during this period was still very limited Celebrating one year after joining ASEAN, the official resolution of the VIII National Congress of the VCP in 1996 reserved for this event only one sentence: “to make every effort for strengthening the relationship with neighboring countries and the countries members of ASEAN” (VCP 1996: 121) However, this “modest” guideline of the VCP could be explained by the fact that Vietnam recently joined ASEAN, and the country did not have much experience in regional cooperation, and there was a big gap in economic development and political institutions between Vietnam and other countries However, it could be understood that there was still a suspicion and distrust in the relationship between Vietnam and ASEAN and other countries in the region On the whole, one year after joining ASEAN, Vietnam was still not yet confident in its capacity, and not yet familiar with the region and with ASEAN Therefore, in the communique´ number 17-TB/TU on October 30, 1996, the Politburo of VCP insisted on the principles in relations with the countries of ASEAN as follows On one hand, Vietnam has “to firm the independent, self-control foreign policy, to follow multilateral and diversified external relations,” but on the other hand it needed to gather all forces for maintaining independence, sovereignty and peaceful environment to build up the country” (Cuc Luu tru 1996) Carefully analyzing the communique´ of the Politburo of the VCP helped facilitated understanding of how the position and the role of Vietnam were considered unclear and passive Mentioning the challenges of Vietnam’s relations with ASEAN countries during this period, the Communique´ used the phrase: “to fall in line with the regional market,” showing passivity, but not “integrate in the regional market” indicating initiative by Vietnam as an active player The Resolution on the Strategy for Fatherland Defense in the New Context (2003): A turning point in Vietnam’s policy toward the region After an initial period of integration, and especially after challenges such as the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and the terrorist attack on America on September 102 ASIA -PACIFIC REVIEW V MAY 2011 Downloaded by [Linnaeus University] at 12:14 07 October 2014 The East Asia Security Environment in the Beginning of the Twenty-first Century 11, 2001, the VCP was able to review its foreign policy and determine its strategy for the future In contrast to the previous period, the beginning of the twenty-first century marked the change of Vietnam’s position and capacity If, in 1996, Vietnam just expressed its willingness “to be friends with other countries,” in 2001 Vietnam stated its wish not only “to be friends” but also to be a “reliable partner of other countries.” (VCP 2001:42.) Among partners and countries, for the first time Vietnam adjusted its foreign strategy to improve friendly relations with neighboring countries and to promote coherence within ASEAN On July 23, 2001, in the opening remarks delivered to the 34th ASEAN Foreign Minister Meeting in Hanoi, Vietnamese Premier Minister Phan Van Khai confirmed that Vietnam considered ASEAN as an important component of Vietnam’s foreign policy and international cooperation, in which active international economical integration has a decisive role and the motto is to be the friend and reliable partner of all countries striving for peace, independence and development of the world (Hoc vien Quan he quoc te 2002:191) This fundamental principle was confirmed strongly in a series of meetings, in the remarks of government’s and party’s leaders, and was clearly represented in the Resolution No 07-NQ/TW on November 27, 2001 “On International Economic Integration” (VCP 2004:120) If international economic integration is a long term strategy, the day-by-day happenings force the VCP to make frequent adjustments appropriate to the reality This is absolutely essential in the case of the Asia-Pacific, as the region is one of the most dynamic and complicated ones in the world A competition for enlargement of the influence sphere in the region among and between big powers began after the end of the Cold war, but has intensified with a higher tempo since the beginning of the twenty-first century The “center court” of the race takes place mainly between China—a rising power on mainland—on the one side and the US,—“an invited empire”—a maritime power on the other side The first tries to build up a new multilateral regional order through opposing “the enlargement of the existing bilateral military alliances in Asia-Pacific, which were left over from the Cold War” (Ma Xiaotian 2009) and the latter would like to consolidate the military bilateral relations with its alliances through a “hub and spokes model.” This race influenced deeply the peace and cooperation in the region, and escalated tension in problems on the Korean peninsula, the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, and has negative impacts on ASEAN consensus and unity Faced with the new situation, in July 2003 the VCP called a meeting of the 8th Central Committee (Section IX) to discuss a new security strategy for Vietnam The outcome of the meeting was “The Resolution on Strategy for Fatherland ASIA -PACIFIC REVIEW V VOLUME 18, NUMBER 103 Downloaded by [Linnaeus University] at 12:14 07 October 2014 Pham Quang Minh Defense in the new context.” The complicated context transformed from a bipolar order of the Post-Cold War era, when the game had just begun and the players still explored each other; there was not a clear constellation, and it was not easy to determine how to play the game and who shared the same ideas In this context, Resolution No (Section IX) provided for the first time the new definitions different from previous ones in Vietnamese foreign policy For example, relating to the question of partner (doi tac) and opponent (doi tuong), the Resolution explained: “Everyone who advocates to respect independence, sovereignty and to promote friendly, equal and mutual interest relationship and cooperation with Vietnam is considered our partner; everyone who shows conspiracy and action to against the objectives of our country to build up and to defense the fatherland is opponent that was to be fought” (Cuc Luu tru 2003:17) It is necessary to say that the previous determination of “ours and yours” in Vietnamese policy was based mainly on the assumption of Marxist class struggle and ideology, and was influenced deeply by the division of the world into two poles and camps However, the Resolution No.8 also reminded: “It is necessary to have a dialectical point of view: in every opponent there may be some elements that (we) could cooperate with and take advantage of; in some partners there may be differences and conflicts Based on these facts, it is needed to overcome both trends, namely being vague and lacking of vigilance or being inflexible in perception, guideline and in dealing with concrete situation” (Cuc Luu tru 2003:18) It may be said that since the beginning of Renovation in 1986, Resolution No (Section IX) of the VCP was the second strategically important document after Resolution No 13 (Section VII) in Vietnamese foreign policy It determined the main principles and guidelined of Vietnamese foreign policy toward other countries that may have different political systemd and economic levels of development In an interview on January 8, 2011 for Vietnam net, the most popular on line newspaper in Vietnam, Lt.General Nguyen Chi Vinh, the Deputy Defense Minister of Vietnam, stated: “I believe that the Resolution No.8 will ecome a historical document in the Fatherland defense history like the Resolution No 15 during the war against America” (Nguyen Chi Vinh 2011) Some suggestions for further cooperation Since “The Resolution No (Section IX) on the Strategy for Fatherland Defence in the new context” was issued, Vietnam became more active and confident in the game of the Asia-Pacific region and in the relationship with other countries, organizations, and in dealing with regional and international problems As chairman of ASEAN in 2010, Vietnam was able to show other countries its capacity and skills to approach complicated questions and deal with different 104 ASIA -PACIFIC REVIEW V MAY 2011 Downloaded by [Linnaeus University] at 12:14 07 October 2014 The East Asia Security Environment in the Beginning of the Twenty-first Century actors with different interests through successful organization of a series of meetings such as the ASEAN Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum meeting, East Asia Summit, and ASEAN Defense Minister Meeting plus, just to name a few While the prestige of Vietnam is increasing and the trust of international community is growing, Vietnam should use international and regional forums to propose initiatives to gain their support From a regional perspective, Vietnam should consider ASEAN as a priority in its foreign policy having equal importance as its relations with big powers The reason is that ASEAN played and is playing a role of “centrality” and “driving force” in the process of building of new security architecture It is an important moment when there are only four years left for ASEAN to fulfill the goal of building up ASEAN community During the East Asia Summit in October 2010 in Hanoi, Vietnam and other members agreed to invite the US and Russia to become members of EAS in 2011 In doing so EAS will consist of ten ASEAN members and eight non-ASEAN countries including Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and the US There is no doubt that it is an important decision for an emerging multilateral security mechanism with participation of all big powers and that can replace other mechanisms in the future As a littoral state, Vietnam should invest more for in a maritime strategy because the sea is a common denominator for all countries of the Asia-Pacific except Laos The main development field and the future of Vietnam and other countries will be connected with the ocean Having more than 3,000km of Pacific coastline, owning deep and convenient harbors, located on one of the most crowded maritime routes of the world, Vietnam will be a place where diversified interests converge Especially in the context of China rising, and because of rich experience that Vietnam has had with China in the past, Vietnam gained more attention from big powers including the US, Japan, and India as well as members of ASEAN Vietnam should have a multidirectional and multidimensional approach in its relations with other countries In relations with ASEAN, Vietnam should follow on the one hand respecting the principles of consensus and no interference in internal affairs, and on the other hand trying to find the common voice in strategic and day-by-day issues of the Association In relations with the US, Vietnam should promote a comprehensive relationship, especially defense cooperation including exchange of visits by high ranking officials, arrangement of bilateral dialogues, organization of mutual visits of navy ships, participation in different military trainings, workshops and cooperation in ADMM plus In particular, Vietnam needs to pay more attention to possibility of joining the common military exercises or Trans Pacific Partnership ASIA -PACIFIC REVIEW V VOLUME 18, NUMBER 105 Downloaded by [Linnaeus University] at 12:14 07 October 2014 Pham Quang Minh In relations with China, Vietnam should continue the traditional relations based on the principle of 16 words “friendly neighborhood, comprehensive, long lasting stability and future looking orientation,” and promote understanding between the two peoples and build up confidence through exchanges, visits, and cooperation at different levels and forms like party-to-party, state-to-state, and people-to-people In relations with Russia, Vietnam could use its traditional relations for a new partnership in the new context through promoting Russia’s advantages in two fields, namely in military industry and oil and gas exploration In relations with Japan, Vietnam should promote its presence through foreign direct investment and foreign trade; especially provide Japan with priority for establishment of high technology zone as driving force for future development of Vietnam In relations with India, Vietnam could explore the strength of this country in information technology and the nuclear industry Conclusion In the beginning of the twenty-first century, the security environment of the AsiaPacific region witnessed many complicated manifestations, whereby more change than continuity is evident Among changes are the strategic competition between China and the US; the rise of China came to the surface and makes the regional environment more complicated Along this mainstream there are unshakeable endeavors of ASEAN to establish a new cooperation mechanism evolving the participation of all powers with ASEAN as driving force In order to play this game, Vietnam should understand its rules, players, and first of all, have an appropriate strategy, stable politics, highly developed economy and smart diplomacy In addition, it is very important to have good skills to play— that means the ability to transform challenges into chances, to turn disadvantages into advantages, and weaknessese into strengths With good skills one can enrich his own “chips” to play the game Since launching the reform policy in 1986, Vietnam has profoundly changed its foreign policy from a model heavily based on ideology to a model of realpolitik, especially in its policy toward the Asia-Pacific It was a long process that went through different phases and was influenced by both internal and external factors From a national security perspective, joining ASEAN in 1995 and “Resolution No (section IX) on the Strategy for Fatherland Defence in the New Context” were considered as two turning points in Vietnamese foreign policy to meet with unpredictable changes 106 ASIA -PACIFIC REVIEW V MAY 2011 The East Asia Security Environment in the Beginning of the Twenty-first Century References Bourdieu P (1984), Distinction, Routledge & Kegan, London Downloaded by [Linnaeus University] at 12:14 07 October 2014 Cuc luu tru Van phong Trung uong Dang (2003) (The Archive Department of the Office of Central Committee of VCP), Nghi quyet Hoi nghi Trung uong khoa IX ve chien luoc bao ve To quoc tinh hinh moi (Resolution of the Eight Plenum of Central Committee on the Strategy on the Fatherland Defense in the New Circumstance) Cuc luu tru Van phong Trung uong Ðang (1996) (The Archive Department of the Office of Central Committee of VCP), Thong bao so 17-TB/TW 30/6/ 1996 y kien cua Bo chinh tri “Ve nhung mat cong tac can thiet de nang cao hieu qua hop tac vai cac nuoc Hiep hoi ASEAN” (Communique No 17TB/TW on June 30, 1966 of Politburo on the necessary works in order to promote efficiency in the cooperation with the countries of ASEAN) Ðang Cong san Viet Nam (2004) (The Vietnamese Communist Party), Cac nghi quyet cua Trung uong Ðang, 2001-2004 (Resolutions of the Central Committee of VCP, 2001-2004), NXB Chı´nh tri Qu c gia, (The National Political _ Publishing House), Hanoi Ðang Cong san Viet Nam (1987) (The Vietnamese Communist Party), Nghi quyet Dai hoi Dai bieu toan quoc lan thu VI (Resolutions of the 6th National Congress), Hanoi Dang Cong san Viet Nam (1996) (The Vietnamese Communist Party), Van kien Dai hoi Ðai bieu toan quoc lan thu VIII (Resolutions of the 6th National Congress), NXB Chı´nh tri Qu c gia (The National Political Publishing House), Hanoi _ Ðang cong san Viet Nam (2001) (The Vietnamese Communist Party), Va˘n ki n dai h i dai bi u toa`n qu c l n th IX (Resolutions of the 9th National Con_ _ 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(2003), International Relations Theory and the Asia Pacific, NY: Columbia University Press Ma Xiaotian (2009), Promote Security Cooperation for a Harmonious Asia-Pacific Region, Shangri-La-Dialogue, Singapore May 30 ASIA -PACIFIC REVIEW V VOLUME 18, NUMBER 107 Pham Quang Minh Nguyen Chi Vinh (2011), Khong de nuoc khac thoa hiep tren lung minh (Do not let other countries making compromises on your own back), at http://www vietnamnet.vn accessed on January Nguyen Manh Cam (1996), Phat bieu tai Le ky niem mot nam gia nhap ASEAN (Address on the occasion of one year after Vietnam joining ASEAN), Hanoi August Ross R.S (2010), The Geography of the Peace: East Asia in the Twenty-first Century, in Shaun Breslin and Richard Higgott (eds.), International Relations of the Asia-Pacific, Vol II Security, SAGE London Downloaded by [Linnaeus University] at 12:14 07 October 2014 Thayer C (2010, Southeast Asia Patterns of Security Cooperation, ASPI About the author After having received a PhD in Southeast Asian Studies from Humboldt University in Berlin (Germany) in 2002, Pham Quang Minh became Vice Dean and then Dean of the Faculty of International Studies, Vietnam National University-Hanoi, a wellknown university in the country He is the co-coordinator of several international projects such as “Vietnam’s accession into the WTO” supported by the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation, “Renovating the Undergraduate Teaching of International Relations/Studies in Vietnam” supported by the Ford Foundation, and the EU through the Eyes of Asia” supported by Asia-Europe Foundation, just some to name His dissertation was on land reform in Vietnam from 1950s to the 1980s, which is still a topic of debate in the modern history of Vietnam, and was published in Germany in 2002 Prof Pham Quang Minh’s current main teaching and research interests, among the other things, are world politics, international relations of Asia-Pacific, and Vietnam’s foreign policy He is author of many articles published both in Vietnam and abroad His most recent publications are “Teaching International Relations in Vietnam: Chances and Challenges” (Journal International Relations of the AsiaPacific, Oxford University Press, Vol 9, no.1 [2009]:131-155), “Images and Perceptions of the EU in Vietnam: Media, Elite and Public Opinion Perspectives” in: Martin Holland, Natalia Chaban and Peter Ryan (eds.); The EU through the Eyes of Asia, volume 2, New Cases, New Findings, World Scientific, Singapore 2009, pp.53-91; “The Meaning of the Complete Collection of Party Documents” (Journal of Vietnamese Studies, The University of California Press, Vol.5, Issue [2010]: 208-218), and “The South China sea security problem: towards regional cooperation” (Asia Europe Journal, Vol.8, No 3, [2010]: 427-434) 108 ASIA -PACIFIC REVIEW V MAY 2011 ... [Linnaeus University] at 12:14 07 October 2014 Asia- Pacific Review, Vol 18, No 1, 2011 The East Asia Security Environment in the Beginning of the Twenty-first Century and the Adjustments in Vietnamese. .. Asia- Pacific in the beginning of the twenty-first century characterized? In the report “Southeast Asia: Patterns of Security Cooperation” published by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute on... on the one hand respecting the principles of consensus and no interference in internal affairs, and on the other hand trying to find the common voice in strategic and day-by-day issues of the