Having fun at Vietnam's expense

Some curious things get by the internet censors in China, and sometimes that raises a lot of questions.

Take for example the curious situation of internet users who are openly discussing China’s supposed plans to “occupy” Vietnam.

This has rattled Hanoi. According to an article today in the South China Morning Post, an English-language daily in Hong Kong, Hanoi has summoned Chinese diplomats twice in the past month to seek explanations.

China, after all, is said to employ 35,000 people to sanitize internet content, not to mention the throngs of “guides” in the “50 cent” brigades who offer support of party policy on any number of themes on internet bulletin boards.

The Morning Post (which is behind a pay wall) said the “occupation plans” appear to be unofficial. Yet censors do not seem to be leaping for the “delete” button. Curious.

The supposed plans detail a 31-day invasion, starting with five days of missile strikes from land, sea and air and climaxing in an invasion involving 310,000 troops sweeping into Vietnam from Yunnan , Guangxi and the South China Sea. The electronic jamming of Vietnamese command and communications centres is mentioned, along with the blocking of sea lanes in the South China Sea.

"Vietnam ... is a major threat to the safety of Chinese territories, and the biggest obstacle to the peaceful emergence of China," the plans posted on Sina.com and at least three other websites say.

"Also, Vietnam is the strategic hub of the whole of Southeast Asia. Vietnam has to be conquered first if Southeast Asia is to be under [China's] control again.

"From all perspectives, Vietnam is a piece of bone hard to be swallowed."

In a statement to the South China Morning Post, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung confirmed Beijing officials had been asked "to act so that such negative articles will not appear again since these may be harmful to ... bilateral relations".

"This is irrelevant information which goes against the trend of peace, friendship and co-operation for development in the region and the world and is not in the interests of the fine relationship existing between Vietnam and China," Mr Dung said.

Vietnam and China do not have the easiest of relationships even though they are both one-party states and share a 1,400-kilometer border. The two sides had a brief but bloody war in 1979. But they differ over maritime territory, specifically over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Earlier this year, Hanoi permitted a series of student protests outside the Chinese Embassy. Now, China is permitting its own nationalists to have some fun at Vietnam’s expense.

Could get outta hand.

Comments

[no name]

I have alot of white rabbit candy to give away, anybody want them?

[chinesepride]

Any body dare to buy stuff that made in china? my friend bought a chinese motorcycle for a month, suspension and spring broken while he driving,it threw him 30 feet away and killed him instantly, thanks to mr Chinese

[No Name]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVS3Bl0JgSY
For all Chinese

[Funkay]

I know what chinese people thinking but they make alot of poison stuffs to sale to the world, stay away from chinese made products

[No Name]

Anybody YiLi milk company, stay away from this brand, bad for you.

[Junhui]

O_o I took a little vacation and this thread just took off. After reading all of the above; I believe what Mr. Lac Long Quan had to say was the most sane and educated. We don't want this war.

After reading a thread about culture; thats what I think made this whole discussion interesting.

Miss. Josie Nguyen said that Vietnamese culture is a spin of of Chinese Culture. To that I say "true...but". Vietnam was indeed a spawn of a rebellious Chinese territory however, over the countless centuries of rebellions, uprisings, and refusal to submit to the Imperial Throne. (and the conquering of Champa); Vietnam has made a culture of its own.

The region of central and South Vietnam you can see stark Champa/Indo-Asian influences. After the centuries this has quickly assimilated into modern Vietnamese culture.

I don't think anyone would disagree that; the further north you travel in Vietnam, the more and more "Chinese" things seem. Even the Vietnamese dialects change to reflect the change of cultural influences.

But as a closing statement (hopefully), I would like to say that a war in Vietnam would not benefit the Vietnamese people if they wish to maintain their standard of living as such.

[laclongquan]

"You can wear mask but you cant hide what you are" is a bloody figure of speech, meaning that you can pretend to be a Viet resident I can still recognize your kinds. If you imagine I advocate torturing or beheading or some such shits you are so high out of your skull it's not funny.

Jesus, Buddha and Mohamed! What a effing ID-10-T. And your nick doesnt help, either.

Shudder.

[J-Ng]

Good for you, Tim. Why it took you so long to say what you just said. "Nationalism" and 'patriotism' really are nothing but diseases. These guys really need help - both of them - on both sides.

[Tim J]

Okay, guys, this has gotten out of hand. If you want to make threats or outline graphic depictions of what you would do to each other, go post on the website of the magazine Soldier of Fortune, not here.

[Viet Alcoholics]

Different people have different idea about how to kill their enemy, just like you and me. You mention about we have to wear a mask while beheading a chinese soldier,and i think it over, if you have blonde hair and blue eye you should but other than that we don't have too, just commando style quik and brutal.

[laclongquan]

Well, if you want to find similiarities between Chinese and Vietnamese cultures, there's loads. It's not a uncommon theme in East Asian cultures, since the Chinese dominated quite totally in that aspects. On the other hands, to find dis-smiliarities, or unique points, from Korean to Japanese, to Vietnam, each country has her own face. We all lie in the influence sphere of Han culture so it's inevitable. Saying Vietnamese (or Korean, or Japanese) is just a variation of CHinese culture is , hmmm, a gross oversimplification of a complex situation. Dont be too dazzled by the splendor of China that you ignore or forget the fine details. As they say, "Details are everything". Especially in Vietnam. On top of the head I can tell you the influence of Indian culture on ours are quite pronounced. And Western's traces are impressive: if nothing else, Vietnam is about the only East Asian country got a romanized alphabet. That alone is a considerable factor.

Viet Alcoholics, what I wrote before can be called sarcasms, 'k? I mean to be sarcastic, to you personally and to some other hate-trolls. As for what you just describe, one we are not in medieval time any more, two even if that happen before me I promise you I will control myself to my utmost, and kill them quickly, efficiently and no mistake. I will not let hate blind me, apathy drive me, and anger hold me. Because if I let that happen, I will be destroyed in both body and soul. The war against China is an eternal war that require every Viet to win each instance of it, to preserve our souls through it and continue to LIVE on afterward. After all we have to rebuild the ruins. THAT is a hard business.

Mind, that's what I hope and want. As to how I will do after it really happen... only reality will tell. And I pray to gods it wont happen.

[Viet Alcoholics]

@ Laclongquan
Don't be so nice with chinese and call viet patriot chicklets. Whe a chinese soldier accidently killed your child, tie you to a pole and rape your wife infront of you, and later you don't might to behead them.

[Josie Nguyen]

@laclongquan | September 13, 2008 at 12:15 PM

"The truth is despite some common traits in culture between Vietnam and China."...This is the same as saying that the vast majority of Singaporean are not Chinese; which is both true and NOT true. The same can be said about Vietnamese. I challenge you to write a passage in Vietnamese, anything, and I can trace the the words in it to its Chinese root; at least 40% to 50% can be traced back with little effort, another 10% to 20% will take greater effort. Up to 70% is what you called "some"? Adding custom and tradition to the mix (such as treating Chinese New Year as the MOST important holiday of the year to name just one), The Vietnamese language and culture are just a variation of the same Chinese theme.

[laclongquan]

Those first words you chose show your ... lack of knowledge. Imperialism never die. It may take up other names, hide under other causes, but the root of it, the core reason of it never change.

Sure, with the prevalence of media, invading government may be tied in some forms of governance in occupied territories. Sure, atrocities are frowned upon. But you can do systematic exploitation of those territories easily. Cheap raw material source for once, toxic and dangerous industries transfer to those territories for another. You dont have to totally and exhaustedly exploit resources but you can come close, which you will never be allowed in home countries. And you dont have to spend big budget for health care, education, and environment either (not as big as in home countries, proportionally, I mean).

If China invade Vietnam I can think, top of the head, three to four actions to recompense for the war cost.

The chaotic effects of that kind of war on Chinese relations with South East Asian countries is one of reason that reassure us somewhat. But not too much, especially in the current international environment, in the wake of Russia's action.

As for those domestic reasons that Peace mentioned, well, it's not totally accurate. 1 part truth in 5 part false I mean. There're indeed some rumble of discontent the last 12 months, mostly because of inflation (you wont believe the rising cost of living, here). But look to the world everyone can see that it's tough all over, so we grumble, grumble, but not too much since it's not as if they (VN government) are out to ruin us. Corruption indeed exist, but, sigh, which country can boast the lack of it, ya?

"strong movement of the democracy dissents in the Vietnam"? I dunno about that. Never heard of something like that. And If I were you I will be careful about the source of info. It's one thing you hear from Viet residents. It's another if you hear it from Viet expatriate lived abroad. I doubt they know what reality of our country is unless it walked up to and kick them in the butt. Too much of their brain still soaked in 70s propaganda, it seem to me.

[Peace]

Imperialism is a thing of the past. Accumulating wealth and growth through investing in other countries is what is matter in today world; this is what the U.S is doing, and this what help the U.S economy at the current dark economic time, as the same they are gaining influences in that country.
And there will be no benefit for China to succeed conquered Vietnam; and this will lead China to war with others in southeast asia. And this will further lead China into a more chaotic place with all the turmoil and resentment going in China right now.

The whole reason why Vietnam government making a big deal out of this fanatic blog story to pretend that they care about country because Vietnam government is facing a lot of resentment from their people through corruption and inflations doesn't solve. And strong movement of the democracy dissents in the Vietnam. Any further ignoring action from the government will lead to chaos.

Peace

[laclongquan]

Mhmmm I dunno

The last time American intervene because (partly) they dont want Vietnam fall to the Communist bloc. And USSR intervened for the opposite reason, of course.

This time, if China invade Vietnam I doubt US or Russia will intervene. The Cold War is over and Vietnam is no longer on the border of that war and they have nearly no reason to involve with us.

A purely business-as-usual war for China, I am afraid. They invade us, either we beat them in field (success) or we lose but beat them by guerrilla war (still success but horribly expensive in term of blood and destruction).

Sigh. Oh well! Such is the life of China's neighbour.

[Thanh]

The truth is despite some common traits in culture between Vietnam and China. The Viet nation sees itself as unique and distinct. One good thing about having China as a neighbor is that, that has made Vietnam into what it is today: a Warrior Nation. A fiercely independent people who are defenders as well as conquerers (Champa, Cambodia & Laos in the future).

Vietnam is also like the "invasion plan" says: it has geostrategic importance. Therefore, the world this time around will not sit and watch China attack Vietnam without any international backlash. During that time Vietnam was isolated and only had the Soviet bloc on its side. Now Vietnam has many international friendships. The US would not let Vietnam fall to China. That's for sure!

[laclongquan]

All of which, my chicklets, show the world for what you are. Put my fingers on your identities eh? You can wear masks but you cant hide what you are. Chicklets, after all, are just chickens. You are all so transparent to Viet residents (laugh evilly)

For you outsiders, be sure that should you invade us we will only kill you. No torture, no behead, no shits. A knife in the back, a sniper bullet in the head or a burts of automatic gun in the guts, you will die well for your country. Be a hero, a patriot for your country. Never a martyr though.

But the last words is that we do prefer to avoid that kind of unpleasantness. Patriot War is a glorious thing but it's sooooo expensive, especially after 30 years of war with millions' blood soak the land. Stay out of our lands, will you! (wink)

[Fuckthechinks]

What's the difference between a defender and an invader???? A defender is willing to die for a good cause, an invader is willing to run for his fucking life, especially with the one child policy in fucking china...they better run...FUCK china

[Viet Alcoholics]

Remember before, if we capture a enemy we tie him, and cut him and knee him until the gall fall out and swallow the gall, we change the game now.

[Viet Alcoholics]

@laclongquan
if you capture one, and plan to behead him, save the blood for me, i blend it with bau da wine and see how it taste like.

[Ready to slaughter chinks]

@laclongquan
When you have the gut to hold the knife and saw their heads off, there is nothing else to worry about, fuck their culture

[Ready to slaughter chinks]

Once again, i love the sound when they choking to get air while i beaheading them. love the fucking sound

[Ready to slaughter chinks]

To all the fucking chinks
You planning to invade a country so you are not expecting this shit, i drain your fucking blood from all your throat.

[Ready to slaughter chinks]

Check the block again, i am pretty sad, they delete my post. I just expressed my truth feeling that came from my innermost. What the fuck? I said i love to behead some chinese soldier and record the fucking video and put it on youtube while playing soccer with their fucking head

[border patrol]

@laclongquan.
Your screen name is not who you are! you use that name you should understand it. Are you viet politian? i am just a foot soldier but i am not affaid to die! how far away you from hanoi? it will take a year for them to reach saigon, you be safe for another year. But remember, we always let them in and kill them one by one.

[border patrol]

@laclongquan
you must be a chinese using viet name, or viet chinken, i am sitting here at the border and waiting for them to attack, you fear the chinese, i willing to die for my country, once again don't be a chicken

[laclongquan]

The lately comments seem very peculiar. You all underestimate Chinese civilization. You all want to invoke war between China and Vietnam. You all sound like Viet expatriates, meaning Viet political refugee fleeing Vietnam during the period of 1975.

Be assured that the Vietnam citizens dont want war with China. We are not afraid and are ready for it, you see, but we really dont want it. Our concern at this moment is to avoid war with China if situation permit.

Be assured that Vietnam citizens have a VERY detailed and complete appreciation of the level of Chinese culture. Actually, we fear their culture than their armies. Do remember that every nation that ever successfully dominated China militarily got swallowed by them culturally (the mongols, the qing dynasty who arose from the border of China and mongolian). You underestimate their culture and civilization at your perils.

Fact is, we really want the effing Chinks to leave us in peace. alas, it's not meant to be.

[no name]

The Viets are serious, they always hold grudge agains chinese

[Viet Alcoholics]

@ Viet Sniper, after i read your post, you are my hero, just kill all the chinks

[Thai boy]

Hi everybody, i would love to see this war happen! I know Chinese is very powerful nation and her military is very big, i don't know what Vietnam had since Vietnamese military is very secretive. However, i never underestimated the Vietnamese.

[TUAN TRUONG]

Chinese netizens isn't some big secret. Everyone knows. The thing is Vietnam have been waiting for this long time, and they ready. I don't know what the Chinese waiting for?

[Trang Le]

Alot of people hating chinese now because they made cheap ass stuff with lead paint, build unsafe vehicle and eating baby girls

[Hung Tran]

@ Stan
Vietnam is not Tibet or taiwan, history proved everything. Vietnam defeat Mongolia, China, French and America

[Hung Tran]

Big and bad PLA is just a larger target in these day of warfare, don't try to scare people with stonage technology. Sorry we are not scare.

[Viet Sniper]

@ Stan
Like i said, bring it on and you will find out, there is nothing need to discuss, i am not mad at you, i just disagree with your fellow Junhui about his quote. Read becareful.

[stan]

@Viet Sniper
If the big bad PLA comes knocking on Vietnam's door I am sure there are people who will answer...however you will not be among them. It is evident the only thing you ever shot off is your mouth. If the PLA did cross into Vietnam you would be as uptight as a Bull's ass in Chokeberry season. A tracer round from a sniper?....you are such a small person that you have to run around in the shower to get wet.

[Trang le]

By the way, death wish should used for people who bought the chinese car, look on youtube you will find out. Chinese people are very funny, they copy and few cars and few war plane and they think they can take over the world lol

[Trang le]

There is nothing special about the Chinese, they got dominate by British, got beaten by the Portuguese, got raped by the Japanese, got slaughter by Mogolian. You should thanks Vietnam for defeated the Mongolian. Beside, i would rather be American slay than be Chinese friend. We don't want no golden snail, we don't want no lead paint, we don't to eat our baby girls, we don't want fake BMW (BDY), we want American Stuff, you got that chinks.

[Viet sniper]

To all Chinese. There is no thing to be argue, so bring it on so you can see it yourself.

[Viet sniper]

Aim at Stan or Junhui, it doesn't matter, i still kill the the chinese anyway. Learn the history, smart man.

[stan]

@Viet Sniper
I hope your aim is more accurate than your blog responses. I told you to go back to Boot Camp....Not Junhui.Again real snipers do not use tracer rounds unless they have a death wish. Still..Happy hunting!

[laclongquan]

Boy, boy!

History tell us that the China can overcome Vietnam's regular army. If nothing else, they got bigger army, better armed and they can always use attrition to cut down our number. Of course we always win in the end because Viet is master of guerrilla warfare. The damn problem is that after a successful war like that our infrastructure got shot to hell... there goes decades (or centuries) of peaceful development! Sigh!

Second, about the Hoa minority. Well, they are here to stay. They stayed throughout the period of Mongol War, or the movement of anti-Hoa at the beginning of 19th century, or during the China War 79, so I think they will stay in future. As to what they thought about the Great Han, as long as they keep that to themselves and dont do anything about it, it's no skin of our noses what they thought.

As for Viet sniper, dont brag. We dont believe you. Beside, if there's a braggart sniper i doubt they do it here.

[Viet sniper]

To Junhui.
You the one who should go back to boot camp and retake an ordinance and weapons course. The reason i will use the trace round is to record the video and put it on youtube to show the world how Chinese got shot between the eye from a thousand yard away. Beside, smart sniper always relocate after one shot.

[Thanh]

Even if it were successful, the PLA invasion would only conquer the North. Vietnam is over 1,000 miles long (ex. Washington DC to Miami) and the millions of Vietnamese in the Central and South will carry on the fight. In addition, the PAVN has forces in Laos. And finally, the tenacity and rigor of the Vietnamese will never be extinguished,even if Vietnam is not well-armed as the PLA. Vietnam has a history of fighting as underdogs (France, US) but in the end prevailing. The Northerners have extreme discipline unlike the Southerners, they will not be taken easily. China may be victorious with a Spratlys invasion and conquest, but an attack on mainland Vietnam will be disastrous and the PRC would deeply regret.

Oh and TO: JUNHUI,
Vietnam for the past 2 millenia has clearly demonstrated that we don't want to be under Chinese rule. We didn't want it then, we don't want it now, and we don't want it ever. Perhaps the Hoa minority want Beijing rule, because they belong to China in the first place and if they love China, then as individuals they should return there.

[stan]

@Viet Sniper
You might want to go back to boot camp and retake an ordinance and weapons course. Using a tracer round would expose your position as a sniper.The goal is to make the "enemy" die for his country...not you!Other than that..Happy hunting!

[Viet Sniper]

To Junhui. Do you understand remington 700 police model, 26' barrel, 308 caliber. I will use tracer round and snipe every Chinese who entered Viet's soil.
Vietnam would indeed be a hard bone to swallow but once swallowed it would be easily digested seeing as how Jin (Kinh in Vietnamese) is already considered an ethnic minority ;).But I dare say that there is probably a significant number of Vietnamese citizens that would be willing to live under Chinese rule rather than the current Vietnamese government . Did you eat your baby girl for breakfast, or you out of your fucking mind?

[NGUYEN]

"If you live on a country sharing border with China,
you better believe they have plan to invade
that country. It's no paranoia thinking,
it's realistic."

Well said!

[George]

I'm no stranger to China's imperialist intentions. In the past China invaded Vietnam for close to 1000 years; and recently established Tam Sa district taking 2 islands, putatively and/or officially belonging to Vietnam, into its map.

The Exxon Mobile scare-off tactics is rather appalling but under no circumstances should anyone underestimate China's intentions.

The sending of Han people to Tibet with the intention of inculcation and brainwashing had failed miserably; But China proved one thing: it is here to conquer under the hat of "unification".

I fear that in China the communism is no longer in practice but rather the Han's mentality of "unifying all people" has taken its place in some respects.

[George]

I'm no stranger to China's imperialist intentions. In the past China invaded Vietnam for close to 1000 years; and recently established Tam Sa district taking 2 islands, putatively and/or officially belonging to Vietnam, into its map.

The Exxon Mobile scare-off tactics is rather appalling but under no circumstances should anyone underestimate China's intentions.

The sending of Han people to Tibet with the intention of inculcation and brainwashing had failed miserably; But China proved one thing: it is here to conquer under the hat of "unification".

I fear that in China the communism is no longer in practice but rather the Han's mentality of "unifying all people" has taken its place in some respects.