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| Aircraft Carrier Ronal Reagan Image Credit: Google |
The United States' aircraft carrier
Ronald Reagan has made a port call in Danang, central Vietnam, following recent
tensions over Chinese vessels in Vietnamese waters.
The visit comes as the US and
Vietnam seek to strengthen their ties, a decade after signing a “comprehensive
partnership” agreement, driven by shared trade interests and concerns about
China's regional influence.
Dispute Over Chinese Vessels in Vietnamese Waters:
Vietnam's foreign ministry lodged a
protest after Chinese survey vessels, coast guard ships, and fishing boats
operated in its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.
China's expansive territorial
claims, including the controversial nine-dash line, have sparked disputes with
Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Despite a 2016 international court
ruling dismissing the legal basis of the nine-dash line, China has continued
its assertive actions in the region.
Nguyen The Phuong, a PhD candidate
in maritime security at the University of New South Wales Canberra, was quoted
by the AFP news agency as saying “The visit gives that message that Vietnam
is continuing to balance against China by improving its security relationship
with the US, and with other outside powers,”
Vietnam's Security Alignment with the US:
Experts suggest that the visit of
the USS Ronald Reagan signifies Vietnam's efforts to balance against China by
strengthening its security relationship with the United States and other
external powers.
Nguyen The Phuong, a maritime security PhD candidate, highlighted Vietnam's intention to maintain a delicate balance and enhance security cooperation with the US to counter China's influence.
Strategic Importance of the Port Call:
The arrival of the nuclear-powered
USS Ronald Reagan marks only the third visit by a US aircraft carrier since the
Vietnam War.
This follows recent port calls by
Indian naval ships in Danang and Japan's largest warship in Cam Ranh.
The presence of the USS Ronald Reagan in Danang until June 30 demonstrates the significance of strong bilateral ties between the US and Vietnam for Washington's regional dominance.
US Intentions and Diplomatic Upgrades:
The United States aims to establish
a trusted and reliable partnership with Vietnam, and the port call of one of
their most formidable naval assets signifies their commitment.
US Secretary of State Antony
Blinken's visit to Hanoi in April emphasized the desire to upgrade diplomatic
ties between the two nations.
The visits of US aircraft carriers, including the USS Carl Vinson in 2018 and the USS Theodore Roosevelt in 2020, mark significant milestones in the US-Vietnam relationship.
(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)
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