Far East strategy pits Russia against China

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Increasing evidence suggests Moscow's activities in the Far East may be a cover for a containment policy toward China, and that could raise the tension between the two powers despite their united stand on other issues, including Iran, according to a report from Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.

The activities are consistent with Russia's reassertion of its power not only to interact regionally but globally. They also reflect growing anxiety by Moscow toward Beijing's increasing economic and military power projection in the area.

Russia has begun to provide increased arms exports to Vietnam, which has a serious dispute with China over the Spratly Islands, thought to have abundant oil reserves. China has been very aggressive in seeking out available oil sources worldwide to meet tremendous demands at home.

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The Spratly Islands are some 650 islands and reefs in the South China Sea situated among the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

Last year, Vietnam purchased six Russian Kilo submarines and 12 Su-30 fighters, with more purchases expected.

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Vietnam's interest in developing a naval capability goes beyond its dispute with China over the Spratlys. Hanoi also wants to develop a naval infrastructure that will include a naval base, repair and maintenance facilities and a communications center.

In addition, Hanoi also wants to increase its arms inventory and has been out shopping among various suppliers, including the U.S., for such arms. Other countries have included Canada and France.

For Vietnam, developing closer relations with Russia will help it counter any Chinese challenge. And Russia, which once maintained a major base at the deepwater Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam, sees the prospect of reestablishing the base for its own naval power projection in the region.

Because of its dispute over oil reserves with China, Vietnam also has offered Russia's Gazprom a part of Vietnam's Petrovietnam gas. Vietnam also wants Russia to build its first nuclear plant.

Stephen Blank of the Washington think-tank Jamestown Foundation said the Vietnamese government is "soliciting a large-scale Russian presence in its country to balance Chinese economic and political power, and ensure its energy security, even as it also seeks to check Chinese naval power in the South China Sea."

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For Russia, the developments create a dilemma, since China is one of the largest purchasers of Russian military equipment.

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