Focus on joint development

While sending a special envoy, Vietnam has neither strengthened nor altered its standpoint in its dispute with China; so it is predictable that Vietnam will not make big concessions but might adopt new strategies on the issue.

On the other hand, China should be clear that the situation in the South China Sea is under control so it is not necessary to show strength. All it needs is to better implement the principle of "setting aside disputes and pursuing joint development", which is in accordance with the interests of all sides involved.

Xu Liping, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, cnr.com, Aug 26