China-Vietnam Border War, 30 Years Later

China, Vietnam, Border, Conflict
Bettmann / Corbis

The Decider
Communist China aided Vietnam in its wars against both French and American occupiers, but Hanoi later established solid ties with the Soviet Union, Beijing's rival. After Vietnam launched incursions into China-friendly Cambodia and occupied it, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping declared he wanted to teach the Vietnamese "a lesson."

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