China- Vietnam border tension grows

Press, 3 July 1978, Page 8

China- Vietnam border tension grows

By BRUCE KOHN, NZPA staff correspondent Lu Liang County (China) they fear an imminent co .lict.

The Vietnamese decision to step up its conflict with Cambodia threatens to bring to a head Vietnam’s simmering dispute with China and to add further irritants to the Sino-Soviet relationship. The statements of Chinese refugees from Vietnam appear to indicate that Hanoi fears a diversionary ploy by China to take pressure off Cambodia.

This is seen by diplomatic analysts as a reason for Vietnam’s strengthening of its northern border with China along the southern boundary of Yunnan Province. A reinforcement of an infantry company in the region by two divisions, and the construction of radar stations suggests an element of uncertainty in Hanoi about Peking’s intentions.

Correspondents touring the Yunnan-Vietnamese border area in the last week h_ e seen no sign of a Chinese military buildup in the region to match that of Vietnam. The mountainous terrain offers easily defensible strategic posts, and peasants and nomads on the Chinese side of the boundary ri.ers show no signs

A narrow-gauge railway runs from the Yunnan capital of Kunming 560 kilometres south to Ho Kuo, on the China-Viet-nam border. It would be a military supply route should hostilities break out. A raid by the Vietnamese raiders could probably disrupt both the rail line and a narrow, twisting road which often runs parallel with it to Ho Kuo. But apart from this supply link the south-east-ern region of Yunnan Province appears to offer little of military sign* iticance to Hanoi. China does, however, have MiG fighters at Kunming and at two airfields closer to the border. These might be of significance in the event of skirmishing between China and its southern neighbour. They are probably the reason for the recent construction of radar stations by Soviet technicians across the border. In the meantime, the hard decisions are facing political leaders in Peking. Imminent possibilities include formal recall of its ambassador, a break in diplomatic relations, and a strengthening of military supplies to Cambodia.