Xi Jinping seeks common ground during Vietnam visit

BEIJING/HANOI - During his first visit to Vietnam since taking office in 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for effective management of maritime disputes as both countries seek to ease tensions stemming from territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Xi was quoted in a local newspaper as pledging to seek a “basic, permanent approach that is acceptable to both sides”.

Throughout the negotiation process, Xi said, both sides should “maintain maritime stability and discuss ways of maritime co-operation to create favourable conditions for bilateral ties”.

China’s seemingly hasty efforts to reclaim territory near the contested Spratly Islands led to public resentment and put Vietnamese leaders in a difficult position, but it was the parking of a Chinese oil rig in contested waters last year that led Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to publicly criticise China, giving rise to what Reuters referred to as “the worst breakdown in bilateral relations in three decades”.

In response to Xi’s comments, Dung stressed that both sides should “control dissent” and “sincerely and frankly exchange and study demilitarisation” in the contested area, ensuring security and safety of navigation and aviation”.

During the visit, China and Vietnam signed 12 bilateral agreements, including cultural exchanges and several financing deals involving Chinese banks. www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).