Nguyen Hong Thao

Nguyen Hong Thao

Professor, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam

Prof Nguyen Hong Thao is a professor at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

Royal Australian Navy, Republic of Korea Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and United States Navy warships sail in formation during the Pacific Vanguard 2020 exercise, 11 September 2020. (Official Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force photo)

Japan's diplomatic note to counter China's growing assertiveness in South China Sea

Academic Nguyen Hong Thao observes that Japan’s latest note verbale to the United Nations on the South China Sea was done out of its national interest. Nonetheless, it shows that Tokyo — and a growing coalition of countries — are digging in their heels to uphold the aegis of international law in the region.