TTLV: US freedom of navigation operations in the East Sea from 2015 to 2020

1. Student's full name: Truong Thi Anh Tuyet 2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: August 8, 1985

4. Place of birth: Thanh Hoa City

5. Decision on recognition of students No. 3617/2018/QD-XHNV dated December 4, 2018 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in training process: No

7. Thesis topic: US freedom of navigation operations in the East Sea from 2015 to 2020

8. Major:International Relations; Code: 8310601.01

9. Scientific advisor: Dr. Tran Bach Hieu - University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

10. Summary of thesis results:

The thesis has clarified the basis for the US to deploy activities to ensure freedom of navigation in the East Sea in both theoretical and practical aspects. Specifically: It has outlined the bases of international customs and international law for US Presidents to direct the implementation of activities to ensure freedom of navigation at sea; clearly pointed out the internal and external factors affecting the policy making, implementation process and results. The thesis also pointed out relatively clearly the strategic goals, basic content of the policy to ensure freedom of navigation and the measures of US implementation in the East Sea.

The thesis has made a relatively comprehensive assessment of the process of implementing the US freedom of navigation operations in the East Sea in the period from 2015 to 2020, pointing out the context, goals, specific implementation activities and results in each period, specifically under President Barack Obama and under President Donald Trump. In addition, the thesis has outlined the impacts and reactions of a number of related countries in and outside the region; at the same time, it clarifies the impact of the US implementation of freedom of navigation operations in the East Sea on the region and the issue of sovereignty disputes in the East Sea; and gives some forecasts and policy recommendations for Vietnam in the coming time.

The thesis has contributed to clarifying the current situation of major power relations in the region and internationally, especially the trend of strategic competition between the US and China, clearly demonstrated through the US's field involvement activities in the region and China's response, as well as China's increased activities to control the entire East Sea, despite increasing opposition from the US and the international community. At the same time, the thesis clarifies the policies, viewpoints and responses of the countries involved in the US's field involvement activities in the East Sea, China's ambitions and behaviors, as well as how countries handle relations with the US and China. In general, due to its close connection with the dispute in the East Sea, the US's freedom of navigation activities in the region are closely linked to its strategy for the Asia-Pacific region and its strategic competition with China.

11. Practical applicability: Vietnamese research institutions and universities can refer to the content of the Thesis to have a small perspective on the US's activities to ensure freedom of navigation in the East Sea, its impact on the region and Vietnam.

12. Future research directions: I will continue to delve into US freedom of navigation activities in other seas around the world and propose countermeasures for Vietnam.

13. Published works related to the thesis: None

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Truong Thi Anh Tuyet 2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: August 8, 1985 4. Place of birth: Thanh Hoa city

5. Admission decision number: 3617/2018/QD-XHNV Dated: December 4, 2018

6. Changes in academic process: No

7. Official thesis title: U.S.'s freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea from the year of 2015 to the year of 2020

8. Major: International relations 9. Code:8310601.01

10. Supervisors: Dr. Tran Bach Hieu - University of Social Sciences and Humanities -Vietnam National University, Hanoi

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The thesis points out the bases of the U.S.'s freedom of navigation operations (FONOP) in the South China Sea, both in terms of theory and practice. In details, it summarizes the matters of international practices and laws that encourage the US Presidents to order practicing FONOP in the sea; clarifies internal and external factors that influence the policy, implementation process and results of the US FONOP. It also makes a rather clear picture about the US strategic goals and FONOP's main activities, as well as U.S's implementation measures in the South China Sea.

The disssetation brings about rather comprehensive assessments on the US FONOP's implementation process in the South China Sea in the period from the year of 2015 to the year of 2020, which points out the context, targets, concrete activities and results in each period of time, including the time under President Barack Obama administration and under President Donald Trump. Besides, it generalizes effects on internal and external regional relevant countries and their reactions. It also contains assessments about US FONOP's implications to the region and sovereignty conflict matter in the South China Sea, giving out some guess about the future and recommendations for Vietnam in the coming time.

The thesis contributes to clarify the situation of great powers relations in the region and as well as in the international forum, notably the strategic competition between China and the US, reflected by the US's intervention activities and China's reactions, and China's increasing aiming activities at controlling over the entire South China Sea region, regardless of anti movements by the US and international community. Simultaneously, the dessert makes rather clear picture of relevant countries' approachment to the US intervention activities in the South China Sea, China's ambitions and its illegal manners to doctrine the South China Sea issues, as well as the ways that releavant countries manage relations with both great powers inluding the US and China. Generally, due to its close relationship with the sovereignty conflict matter in the South China Sea, US FONOP in the region has joint together with its Asia Pacific's strategy and strategic competition with China.

12. Practical applicability: Vietnam' research institutes and universities can take references on the thesis's content, having one small viewing on the US FONOP in the South China Sea and its implications to Vietnam.

13. Further research directions: I will continue to make one more research on US FONOP in the world seas and recommend policies for Vietnam.

14. Thesis-related publications: No