This past semester, our group touched upon the topic of island territorial disputes between China, Japan, and Vietnam. The Paracel and Spratly Islands lie in the East China Sea and South China Sea. As far as we were concerned, sovereignty over these territories were quite vague, but it was heavily implied that the Paracel Islands belonged to Vietnam, as the Spratly Islands were of Japan's. Both islands contain rich ocean resources as well as oil reserves, increasing incentive for China to invade and claim sovereignty. Over the semester, we witnessed countries in conflict with China protesting and boycotting against Chinese goods. Over the course of the semester, rising tension between China and Japan were very obvious, when China seized maritime frontiers and increased naval ships in the Spratly Islands. Although meetings were made by Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, in attempt to resolve the issue, political tensions only increased at the home front of both countries.
Fortunately in the light of global peace, we did not see much action between China and Vietnam, but unfortunately, as the semester came to and end, the barrel exploded on the Paracel Islands. On May 1, 2014, China National Offshore Oil Corporation deployed an oil rig in a patch of disputed territory 150 miles from Vietnam's coast. Over the past 16 days, Chinese ships have aggressively attacked Vietnam's vessels, killing a few and injuring many of the fisherman as well as the Vietnam ships trying to enter the illegal oil rig China has been invading. Since then, violent protests and tremendous discontent with China's impulses have spread across Vietnam and even in the Vietnamese-American community overseas. The Vietnamese consider this a "breaking point" in which they cannot suppress the constant bullying and political inequality involving China in the past decades. Riots broke out so violently the Vietnamese government are taking measures to contain destruction, especially in fear of losing foreign direct investment due to economic instability.We have discussed the global economy and the Western nation's foreign investment in developing nations or resource abundant ones. Over the past decade, many foreign investors have put in billions of dollars into Vietnam's economy, benefitting from the growing technology but also rich amounts of human production at lower costs. However, due to recent riots, if the Vietnamese government does not control the voices of dissent, Vietnam's growing economy could definitely decrease growth due to the political affecting the economic stability (Song).
Our group gathered research for these issues quite efficiently by committing out of class and out of group time to conduct research, which we would then bring together to share notes and highlight current events that occurred most often. We then collaborated to write the post together, uploaded it to a Google document in which all group members could access and revise prior to the blog post date. Working as a group allowed me to view our topic on a more personal matter, and allowed me to develop my own personal international political theory. It was very interesting for one of our group members and myself, were in opposition of taking political sides to this issue due to our ethnicities.We both respected each other's ideals and sharing our ideologies as a whole definitely made me think of what international peacemakers would say or do.
From this project, I learned that international politics is an issue in which one must deeply examine the historical context and vantage points of different nations, states, and groups. It is unfair to simply examine multiple current event flashes, but in order to understand why a nation or state behaves in certain ways, we must understand the cultural, economic, and political (in a narrow sense) influences that results in these actions or nationalism. One thing I deeply appreciated from working as a group was the effect that our International Studies concentration had upon our research. The compilation of our research from individuals either focused on peace and conflict, international economics, or global politics more, which was very essential in completing a cohesive and well-rounded post. International studies and international politics is not an issue one could determine on their own; organizations are of a group effort; treaties or of group efforts; political system are built upon group work; and in order to influence the globe, I learned that one must determine his or her personal theory in order to efficienty contribute to international politics.
Song, S. (2014, May 14). Anti-China Riots In Vietnam Could Hurt Western Consumers And Brands' Supply Chains. Retrieved May 16, 2014, from http://www.ibtimes.com/anti-china-riots-vietnam-could-hurt-western-consumers-brands-supply-chains-1584985
Hodal, K. (2014, May 15).
At least 21 dead in Vietnam anti-China protests over oil rig. Retrieved May 16, 2014.http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/15/vietnam-anti-china-protests-oil-rig-dead-injured.
