Chinese Empire

Empires come and go throughout human history. Everyboby knows that. Most past empires are now second rate, even third rate powers. Even a cursory reading of a single world history textbook would bring this fact to the fore. There is no need for me to mention names of all empires that succumbed to decay and collapse.

What I would like to briefly discuss tonight is that inherent size matters. In the past, empire rose through conquests, but the original country and the people lived there was small in size and number. Although subsequent conquests of neighboring and occasionally far- flung lands expanded the territory, conquered peoples were not assimilated even if the language (Latin, Arabic, English, French, Russian. I don't know much about the case of the Aztecs, the Mayas, and the Incas, so I can't comment) was widely diffused. As a result, when the empire collapsed, conquered peoples regained independence or were part of another emerging empire.

Empires collapsed because of over-extension and lack of money for maintenance due to constant imperial wars. Spain was powerful only for two centurires (16th and 17th) thanks to mineral riches from America, but by 18th century she was exhausted due to Counter-Reformation ventures. Turkey was called a sick man in Europe in 20th century. When WWI ended, she lost all her colonies. Two world wars finished Britain. France, and Germany as empires. In their place, USSR and USA emerged as superpowers, code name for empires. Ineptitude and lack of money shrank the Russian empire. It looks now USA is following her on the decline because of decay, wasteful spending, and heavy indebtedness, Money is the blood and the engine to hold an empire together.

The sick man of Asia in 19th century and the first half of 20th century is now very vigorous. China has been an empire that may prove to be an exception to the rule of impermanence. Her land of origin was big ( north of Yangtze River) to begin with. She has vast natural resources and she has been wildly successful in assimilating conquered peoples. Though the conquered peoples south of Yangtze River still speak their own mutually unintelligible languages which in turn are different from Mandarin, they have "learned" to regard themselves as Chinese through the imposition of written language system and culture from the North. When China was ruled by foreigners ( Mongols and Manchus), she managed to assimilate the conquerors as well because of her numerical superiority and the superiority of her culture.

China is now prosperous, unified, and confident. Naturally she is now resuming the task of expanding her empire. Her target is of course Vietnam, her former colony, and her tributary state since 939 C.E until the French conquered Vietnam by 1884.The invasion is already taking place. Skirmishes have been fought and Vietnam is already losing and has ceded land at the border, most of the Gulf of Tonkin, all of Paracel Islands, and most of Spratly Islands. On top of that Chinese enclaves have been established in Vietnam, off limits even to the local authorities. Not satisfied,some Chinese generals have openly talked about conquering the whole Vietnam. A Vietnamese in Vietnam, who is fluent in Chinese told anh HC via an email that the propaganda machine in China has spread lies about the Vietnamese fishermen, accusing them of violating Chinese territory and stealing fish and sea products that belong to China. As a consequence, the Chinese are eager to teach us "a lesson".

In life, there are trends and patterns. Also, historical forces tend to march on relentlssly. Vietnam is small, weak, disunited internally, exhausted from centuries of civil wars, ruled by an inept, corrupt regime, and thus is a tempting prey for China.Just because we have managed to avoid assimilation until now, that does not mean we can do again this time if we don't prepare ourselves for the struggle which is already under way. Vietnam's Intelligence Agency (Cuc 2) is infiltrated by China. It has accused Vo Van Kiet and now Vo Nguyen Giap of working for the CIA. Dissidents who voiced opposition to China were arrested and imprisoned. Yet more and more domestic Vietnamese intellectuals bravely defy the VCP, demanding it face the China question. These intellectuals risk their lives, their freedom, the well- being of their loved ones because they love Vietnam, because they want to carry out their responsibiliy as the leaders, the engine of change for the survival of our country, our race.

Nobody, no country will fight the fight for us. Countries like the U.S., India, and Australia will only help us if they see we are willing to fight for our freedom, our dignity, our survival.

Overseas Vietnamese intellectuals who live in comfort and safety, please join your brethren at home in the fight, and let them know they are not alone. Write to them. Write to the worldand let the world know China is a threat and a menace to world peace and she must be stopped before she becomes another Fascist Japan of yore.

We all have to die some day. While we are alive, we need to live in a manner that renders our lives meaningful. We can do that by showing to the Chinese we are true descendants of Ngo Quyen, Ly Thuong Kiet, Tran Hung Dao, Le Loi, and Nguyen Hue. We need to show them we are NOT the offspring of Tran Ich Tac, Le Chieu Thong, and Ho Chi Minh.

Viet Nam Muon Nam!

Wissai
Nov. 16, 2009