On the left: Liu Yongzhong. On the right: Chen Youan. Both are scouts from the 163rd Division.
The photograph was taken during the Sino-Vietnamese War by Li Yongan, a publicist for the 163rd Division
Jeff_NZ on
Interesting story. Bit more on background. China had just captured Lạng Sơn during the 1979 Sino Vietnamese War, so they were guarding the provincial government building because it was an important administrative and military point. Buildings like that would be secured for control, communications, records, and to deny Vietnamese forces use of them. It was not about protecting the building for Vietnam. It was part of China’s short term occupation after advancing across the border. The bigger reason for the war was China’s anger over Vietnam invading Cambodia, Vietnam moving closer to the Soviet Union, and ongoing border tensions.
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On the left: Liu Yongzhong. On the right: Chen Youan. Both are scouts from the 163rd Division.
The photograph was taken during the Sino-Vietnamese War by Li Yongan, a publicist for the 163rd Division
Interesting story. Bit more on background. China had just captured Lạng Sơn during the 1979 Sino Vietnamese War, so they were guarding the provincial government building because it was an important administrative and military point. Buildings like that would be secured for control, communications, records, and to deny Vietnamese forces use of them. It was not about protecting the building for Vietnam. It was part of China’s short term occupation after advancing across the border. The bigger reason for the war was China’s anger over Vietnam invading Cambodia, Vietnam moving closer to the Soviet Union, and ongoing border tensions.