Vietnam, China: Economic Prosperity Leads to Heightened Tensions

While China's economic ascendency has been well documented, Beijing's longtime regional competitor, Vietnam, is steadily growing in economic and political relevance in the region, due in no small part to its economic ties to the Chinese. Historically, China has been the more powerful of the two, seeking to contain its neighbor to the south. As their economies continue to prosper, they will attempt to extend their influence in the region, but because of their geographic proximity — and because the areas they seek to influence overlap — Beijing and Hanoi will maintain a state of heightened tension for the foreseeable future.