The War’s Ending
The Sino-Vietnamese War, having started on February 17, 1979, ended four weeks later, on March 16. China had spent several months seriously and carefully preparing for the campaign, and it led to them completely destroying everything on their way, capturing population centers and occupying strategic spots and areas along the border. A few weeks later, China decided that they taught Vietnam the lesson, and started withdrawing in the middle of March. The war and the fighting due to border controversies in the following years led to both sides experiencing heavy casualties and economic losses. Although neither country reported its casualties, specialists estimated that there were up to 28,000 dead and 43,000 wounded on the Chinese side, and under 10,000 dead on the Vietnamese.
Who Won the War?
It is interesting to note that both Beijing and Hanoi claimed victory in the war. However, since the China-Vietnam relationship fully normalized in 1991, both countries’ state-owned media have kept silent about it, scarcely mentioning the war and diverting attention from questions. Yet, while the Vietnamese government seems to have succeeded in repressing this memory, the Chinese, being miseducated for decades, believe the war was won by them, with all goals reached. Many strategists do not support this view: according to them, the war was completely failed by China. First, Vietnam was not induced to ease pressure on the Khmer Rouge by withdrawing forces from Cambodia. Secondly, China did not destroy the main Vietnamese forces due to Vietnam holding these in reserve and defending with the help of local forces.Thirdly, China failed to engage America into an anti-Soviet alliance. These facts and many others, as well as the war’s nature are to be acknowledged by both sides with a constructive perspective; only then will they be able to alter public opinion towards one another.