Narkhova Ekaterina

Vietnam-China Relations Through the Prism of the Theory of Asymmetry

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2019, №3(44), 136-144

 
Annotation: The author analyzes the relations of Vietnam and China through the prism of the theory of asymmetry that was developed in the political science by the American scientist B. Womack. Hanoi and Beijing lay claims for the disputed islands in the South China Sea (SCS), that for many years have been the key destabilizing factor in Southeast Asia. The asymmetric model of contacts between Vietnam and China complicates the situation, as well as generates misunderstanding and contradictions. At this crossroads, the intervention of third parties not only prevents resolving contradictions, but further complicates them.

Keywords: South China Sea, Vietnam, China, USA, territorial disputes, ASEAN, asymmetry