Top envoy to discuss maritime tensions in Hanoi

China's top diplomat is scheduled to meet Vietnamese leaders on Wednesday in the highest-level direct contact between the two countries since tensions arose in May over a Chinese oil rig operating in the South China Sea.

Observers said State Councilor Yang Jiechi's visit will be the best chance to ease tensions.

Yang will attend the annual meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation as head of the Chinese delegation, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular media briefing on Tuesday.