HANOI: In a significant development that could indicate a shift in military relations between China and Vietnam, Chinese defense firms are set to participate in an upcoming arms fair in Vietnam next month, a defense official announced on November 15.

The international defense exposition will take place in Hanoi from December 19 to December 22, marking a noteworthy return two years after Vietnam hosted its inaugural military fair. This event is part of Vietnam's strategy to enhance domestic production capabilities and diversify its sources of military hardware, which have historically relied heavily on Russia.

Le Ngoc Than, a Vietnamese defense ministry official, confirmed that Chinese firms are among the approximately 140 companies expected to showcase their equipment at the expo. However, details regarding the specific companies and the extent of their participation remain undisclosed. Notably, no Chinese military equipment was shown at the 2022 exposition, making this year's participation particularly intriguing.

Nguyen The Phuong, a security expert at the University of New South Wales, Australia, commented, “China's participation in the Vietnamese military expo is an important sign of new security cooperation between the two countries.” This comes amid a backdrop of increasing dialogue and preliminary agreements focused on bolstering security and defense ties between the two communist neighbors.

Despite their close economic partnership, China and Vietnam have a long history of maritime disputes in the resource-rich South China Sea, where both states have overlapping territorial claims. Additionally, tensions flared during a brief border war in 1979, which has left a lingering impact on their relationship.

Military expositions often serve as platforms for establishing defense deals, according to analysts. Carl Thayer, a senior expert from the Australian Defence Force Academy, warned that if any agreements materialize, they would likely be limited to non-combat equipment and capabilities, such as logistics, aviation transport, and military medicine. “Vietnam cannot rely on China for major military acquisitions due to the risk of China potentially halting agreements during periods of heightened tension,” Thayer emphasized.

The Hanoi expo is expected to draw participation from 27 countries, including major defense players like the United States, Russia, and France. There are also hints that companies from Iran might join the event, expanding the global dimension of the fair.

As geopolitical dynamics continue to shift, the implications of this arms fair and the involvement of Chinese firms may hold considerable significance for Vietnam’s defense landscape and regional stability. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story!