The Sino-Vietnamese War: How to Forget a Victory?
Abstract
Abstract
This thesis explores the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979 and its extended conflicts through the 1980s, focusing on the forgotten narratives and marginalized experiences of the war's veterans. It aims to uncover why this victory has been intentionally omitted from China's official historical narrative and to highlight the veterans' ongoing struggles in a rapidly transforming society.
This research combines oral histories, extensive fieldwork, and a review of both Chinese and non-Chinese scholarly works. By integrating diverse sources, the thesis challenges the official narrative and emphasizes the need for a more inclusive historical memory that acknowledges the sacrifices and experiences of these veterans, highlighting the complexities of historical memory and the politics of memory in China, where the legitimacy of the CCP's rule is deeply rooted in its historical narrative.
Keywords: Sino-Vietnamese War, Indochina, veterans, historical memory, China, nationalism, ideological shifts, Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Hua Guofeng, Cultural Revolution, Three Supports, Two Militaries.