Choose another nation who is involved and explain their position.

Question

In a paragraph of 5–7 sentences, describe another nation’s involvement in the conflict and critique their actions. Are their actions justified or unjustified? Legal or illegal? Moral or immoral? How does the evidence in your sources support your critique?
Examples: Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, United States, Japan

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Choose another nation who is involved and explain their position.

In a paragraph of 5–7 sentences, describe another nation’s involvement in the conflict and critique their actions. Are their actions justified or unjustified? Legal or illegal? Moral or immoral? How does the evidence in your sources support your critique?
Examples: Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, United States, Japan

URL for this research:

Answer 1

One nation currently involved in the South China Sea conflict is Vietnam. Vietnam asserts its claims over several areas in the South China Sea, particularly the Spratly and Paracel Islands, based on historical usage and international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Vietnamese government has actively opposed China's expansive claims and militarization of its artificial islands within these contested waters. While Vietnam's actions in asserting its sovereignty can be viewed as justified and legal under international law, some of their aggressive naval encounters with Chinese vessels may push the boundaries of diplomatic norms. Human rights criticisms regarding Vietnam's own internal policies, particularly towards dissenters and activists, cast a shadow over the moral standing of the government as it advocates for territorial integrity. Various reports highlight that while Vietnam seeks international collaboration (including partnerships with the U.S. and other Southeast Asian nations) to strengthen its position, their militarization efforts and naval showdowns can be viewed as provocative, thus increasing regional tensions. In this context, evidence from various diplomatic communications and military engagements illustrates the complexity and precarious nature of Vietnam's balancing act between asserting sovereignty and maintaining regional stability.