The South China Sea dispute has led to angry protests in Vietnam Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has issued a decree about a potential military call-up, amid rising tension with China.
The decree outlines who would be exempt from military draft if war broke out.
Vietnam has conducted live-ammunition exercises in the sea adjacent to the waters it disputes with China.
The area is thought to be rich in natural resources, and Hanoi has accused Beijing of harassing its oil exploration ships.
The new decree was signed by the prime minister at the request of the Ministry of Defence.
It is believed to serve two purposes – the first is to placate nationalists who have been agitating against China’s policy towards Vietnam, and calling the government response too weak.
The second is clearly aimed at China itself, whose increasingly assertive actions in the South China Sea are perceived to be hurting Vietnam’s political and economic interests.
The last time Vietnam fought a war was with China in 1979.
The sabre-rattling this time sends a clear signal that Hanoi will not shy away from taking up force again to defend its “sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
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