Hanoi needs amending deeds

THE SHIP RAMMING IS DANGEROUS. THE exchange of verbal swords is useless. And the threat of "legal actions" will go nowhere.

The current state of affairs determines the confrontation between China and Vietnam will be one with no winner. Neither China nor Vietnam will emerge unbruised from any further escalation of the tensions in the South China Sea.

It is against Chinese interests to let territorial disputes protrude and get in its way as a rising power. Beijing's dream of national rejuvenation calls for a considerably stable and peaceful environment.