In the spring of 1979, the valley on the Sino-Vietnamese border was filled with gunsmoke and war. But behind this war, there is actually a larger international game. Imagine that the Soviet Union sent 36 warships at that time, and suddenly appeared in the South China Sea, this is not soy sauce, they are real! And the United States, which has always appeared as a warning bell at the world's conflict points, will do something this time?
February 17, 1979 was not an ordinary day for both China and Vietnam. China's decision to launch a self-defense counterattack against Vietnam was a sudden war that was not only the sound of gunfire on the border between the two countries, but also part of the broader context of the Cold War. At that time, the world's bigwigs were fighting for their place, and even more so the United States and the Soviet Union. Southeast Asia has an important strategic location and abundant resources, so it has naturally become a chessboard for major powers.
Speaking of the Soviet Union, they not only supported Vietnam politically, but also militarily. Imagine 20 fighter jets, more than 400 tanks and armored vehicles, and a huge number of artillery pieces and anti-aircraft missiles, all delivered directly to Vietnam. No, the Soviet Union also made a big move, sending 36 warships straight to the South China Sea, this battle is incredible, it is simply trying to copy China's back road.
As for the United States, as the world's policeman, it is naturally impossible to ignore it. When Soviet warships appeared in the South China Sea like wolves, US aircraft carriers also rushed into these waters, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense. You say, the confrontation between the two superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States, in the South China Sea, is this picture shocking enough?
But don't look at it as just a confrontation between ships at sea, the strategic game behind this can be complicated. The Soviet Union was testing the influence of the United States in Asia, and at the same time it was supporting Vietnam. The United States, on the other hand, was holding on to its role as the guardian of the world order, while not allowing the Soviet Union to expand its influence in this critical region.
This game is not only a military confrontation, but also a political contest. Both sides are courting allies and using tactics, and the clouds over the South China Sea are getting heavier. China, on the other hand, had to strengthen its defenses in the South China Sea in the face of Soviet pressure, which was a direct challenge to national security. The war on the Sino-Vietnamese border and the military pressure in the South China Sea put China in a two-front dilemma for a while.
This kind of international drama was not only a contest between the armed forces, but also reflected the subtle changes in the political pattern of the world at that time. Although the war of 1979 was only a moment in the long river of history, its impact was far-reaching. It not only changed the relations between China and Vietnam, but also affected international relations during the Cold War.
In the middle, we can't forget about Vietnam. In the face of China's self-defense counterattack, Vietnam is small but not weak, and it has the support of a big brother like the Soviet Union. Although Vietnam's military power was inferior to China's, with the support of the Soviet Union, they also showed good combat effectiveness. This war can be said to be a microcosm of small countries challenging big countries, but the international support behind this is the key.
Back to the Soviet Union and the United States, the two number one players during the Cold War, their every move touched the nerves of the world. Although the showdown in the South China Sea did not turn into a full-scale military conflict, it was enough to make countries around the world feel the cruelty of the Cold War and the ruthlessness of great power politics. If you think about it, China at that time, which had recently experienced the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution, needed to stabilize its internal affairs and restore its economy, and the sudden border war undoubtedly added a lot of uncertainty.
Although the United States suffered a lot in the Vietnam War, it still cannot be underestimated in its strategic layout in Asia. The U.S. involvement, to some extent, was also to protect its own interests in Asia and ensure that the Soviet Union did not gain the upper hand in this critical region.
This war is also a contest of technology and strategy. From tanks and artillery to fighter jets, the use of every technology is crucial. And strategically, from mountain warfare on the border to fleet confrontation at sea, every step is a manifestation of national wisdom and military strategy. This is not only a contest between the two armies, but also a contest between the think tanks of the two countries and even many countries.
Another dimension of this war is the war of information and public opinion. In that era when there was no Internet and information was not as developed as it is now, mastering information and correctly interpreting it became another key to warfare. Each country is trying to win the support and sympathy of the international community by presenting its position and situation to the outside world through different channels.
For us ordinary people, this history has long been dusty, but the lessons are still worth recalling. History is the best teacher, and by looking to the past, we can better understand the present and predict the future. At both the national and individual levels, this war has left a profound lesson for us: in the international arena, there are no permanent friends, only eternal interests; And on an individual level, we should also learn to find a way to survive and thrive in a turbulent environment.
Looking back at the war in 1979, we not only saw the smoke and flames of war, but also saw the contest and game between major powers.