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So why would the Vietnamese officials intentionally add an extra star to the Chinese flag?
It is also all about symbolism!
Vietnamese officials want to send a subtle sign of respect and submission to China’s hegemony. Vietnamese officials implicitly acknowledge Vietnam’s status as a vassal state to China.
This is an act of cowardice from the Vietnamese authorities that is condemnable and shameful. This never happened in the Vietnamese history since its gain of independence from China in 9th century, even though the Vietnamese kings from all the dynasties recognized China’s hegemony and paid tributes to Chinese emperors in order to appease the Chinese appetite for Vietnam. In the tributary system, Vietnam paid regularly some treasures to Chinese emperors, who would then recognize the Vietnamese kingship. In the feudal tradition, Vietnamese kings were required to kow-tow to Chinese emissaries representing the Chinese emperors. However, Vietnamese kings always avoided to receive the Chinese emissaries and sent other Vietnamese officials in their place. Vietnamese kings had pride in themselves and would not lower themselves to kow-tow to Chinese emperors even though Vietnamese kings had to recognize officially Chinese emperors’ higher status for the sake of peace.
Vietnamese communists have committed the most shameful act in the Vietnamese history as a sovereign and independent country by showing their submission to China. Vietnamese communists have given Chinese authorities great influence in the Vietnamese leadership selection and policy making. Vietnamese communists are just copy-cats of Chinese communists’ policy in every domain and aspect of society. Vietnamese communists have relied on Chinese communists’ protection for their own survival and cling onto the power. Vietnamese communists have made secret deals with China that the consequences are unknown to Vietnamese.
For instance, Vietnamese communists made secret territorial concessions to China in the land border deal signed in 2008, which is still not disclosed to the public.
Furthermore, Chinese press released information about the North Vietnam regime’s attitude after China invaded the Paracels Islands under the South Vietnam regime’s jurisdiction in 1974. The North Vietnam regime sent thank you note to China for invading those islands instead of condemning China’s aggression into the Vietnam’s territorial sovereignty.
Therefore, the repetitive displays of Chinese flag with 6 stars by the Vietnamese officials have raised concerns and indignation among the Vietnamese people inside and outside the country. Transparency and accountability are needed. The Vietnamese communists need to give explanation and present excuse to the Vietnamese people.
Communist dictatorship will not last forever as history has shown that any regime resorting to force to oppress the people will sooner or later fail. The nation building and territorial acquisition are the fruits of the forefathers that Vietnamese communists have no right to squander.
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