Signs of easing tensions as China and Vietnam agree to reforge military links
Signs of calmer season horizon as Hanoi's defence minister holds high-level talks in Beijing
China and Vietnam agreed in high-level meetings yesterday to resume military ties and resolve their maritime disputes, sending the first signals that tensions over their territorial claims in the South China Sea might be easing.
"Both China and Vietnam … should keep their forces under control, refrain from detrimental remarks, and not do anything to affect the general situation," Xinhua quoted Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, as saying to Vietnamese Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh in Beijing.
"It's impossible for neighbouring countries to move … It is in the interests of both China and Vietnam to get along well with each other and to handle differences appropriately."
Thanh also held talks with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan and Vice-President Li Yuanchao on Friday, according to Xinhua.
Analysts said the high-level meetings indicated both countries were keen to prevent the outbreak of military conflict.
Zhang Mingliang, a Southeast Asian affairs expert from Jinan University, said Fan was reminding Hanoi not to try to curry favour with great powers like the United States, but to focus on developing good ties with China, because "a good neighbour is better than a distant brother".
"We should note that the high-level meetings were arranged just weeks after the US announced earlier this month that it was partially lifting its 40-year-old arms embargo on Vietnam," Zhang said.
