Michelle Wang-Week 7

        In “The War after the War,”(Introduction) Chandra discusses that the Vietnam War was complex with Cambodia, China, and US involvement, and the fall of the Saigon was the Vietcongs attack the South (3). The fall of the Saigon was significant and gave power to the Communists but there was also power struggles between Khmer and Viet Cong Communists due to the Vietnamese aggression Chandra emphasizes that there were conflicts between Vietnam and Cambodia and China wanted to silence the United States in Vietnam War (6). This goes back to countries want to maintain their own power. China wants to expand Communist expansion in Asia and influence the Southeast Asian region. In Chapter 2, Chandra states that even Vietnam even did not want to recognize the border of Cambodia (16). This is because Vietnam wants to expand itself. Chandra (Chapter 2) adds that China approved the recognition of Cambodia, the independence of Vietnam, and even provided aid to Cambodia (17). This is because of China’s national interests to these countries and wanted to show the US its immense power and strength. Eventually, China was able to grow, controlled the Vietcongs, and did want not Vietnam to have any ties with the Soviet Union (27). Furthermore, China’s influence and control did not want Vietnam to be a leader in Indochina as China would stop giving aid to Vietnam and the relationship between China and Vietnam was through common interests and against US imperialism. In Chapter 4, Chandra discusses that the China wanted Vietnam to follow its political/social organization (113). China did not want Vietnam’s influence over Indochina and for Vietnam under Chinese control.

            I can also see China’s involvement with the Vietnam War this relates back to the Korean War its precedent. China wanted to get involved in the Korean War as it wanted to maintain its security from US attack. China did not want the United States to intervene in Korea and expand its westernization and imperialism. This relates to the Southeast Asian community as there continues to be diversity within the API communities and the realization that there is oppression towards the Southeast Asian community. It is important for us to realize that there is also diversity among Southeast Asian folks some who have a huge connection to their homeland and diasporas.

Question: How may have history been different if China was not involved in the Vietnam War?

Image Citation: Chinese Involvement in the Korean War: ‘The Korean People’s Army and Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, Victorious Forever!’. N.d. N.p.

Citations:

Chanda, Nayan. "Introduction." N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. The War after the War. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers. Web. 16 Feb. 2017. <https://canvas.ucdavis.edu/courses/72043/files/folder/Weekly%20Readings/Week%207%20Readings?preview=806592>.

Chanda, Nayan. "Chapter 1: Old Enemies, New War." N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. The War after the War. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers. Web. 16 Feb. 2017. <https://canvas.ucdavis.edu/courses/72043/files/folder/Weekly%20Readings/Week%207%20Readings?preview=806592>.

Chanda, Nayan. "Chapter 4: A Glimpse into the History." N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. The War after the War. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers. Web. 16 Feb. 2017. <https://canvas.ucdavis.edu/courses/72043/files/folder/Weekly%20Readings/Week%207%20Readings?preview=806592>.