THE BORDER WAR - A COMPLICATED AND DECADE-LONG WAR OF CHINA AGAINST VIETNAM (1979 - 1989)

Abstract

On February 17, 1979, Chinese troops simultaneously attacked Vietnam on the entire northern border. After more than two weeks of advancing more than 15km into Vietnamese territory with heavy losses, Chinese troops were ordered to withdraw from Vietnam on March 5, 1979. Including the time of the attack and the time of withdrawal (until March 16, 1979), Chinese troops were only present in Vietnam for 1 month, but this war was not as simple and fast as it appeared to be. It was a complicated war (taking place in all aspects from military, political, diplomatic and economic aspects) and only ended in 1989 when Chinese troops withdrew from the Vi Xuyen front (Ha Giang). By putting this war in a comprehensive context with the actions that China has pursued, it can help for a better understanding of the cause, the nature of the war, as well as lessons learned for the duty of defending the Fatherland of Vietnam today.

Keywords: border war, complicated war, Vietnam, China, 1979 - 1989