US-Vietnam Cooperation in Resolving the East Sea Issue from 2009 to 2024

Abstract

The East Sea and the region’s political instabilities are becoming increasingly complicated, threatening security and interests of many related countries, Vietnam included. Vietnam is among countries of sovereignty claiming over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos in the East Sea. Many scholarly studies and historical evidences have proven the historical and legal rights of the Vietnam's above-mentioned claim. However, China, with unjust ambition to monopolize the East Sea, has made a nine-dash line claim, demanding to monopolize this important sea area. China has increasingly taken provocative actions, seriously violating the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS - 1982) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Vietnam and several Southeast Asian countries with claims in the East Sea have strongly fought against China's ambitions. Faced the instability in the East Sea, many political powers and international organizations have expressed deep concern and have practical cooperation programs to help find solutions to the East Sea issue. As the world's leading power, the US has demonstrated its strong role on the East Sea issue. They made many statements and cooperated with several countries in the Southeast Asian region to resolve the East Sea issue in general and to cooperate with Vietnam in particular.