Beijing, Hanoi should look beyond disputes

China and Vietnam observe the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. While the occasion provides a special opportunity for deepening bilateral relations, the two countries have to make greater efforts to control their disputes in the South China Sea, such as the 2014 drilling rig incident.

From mid-2013 to the first four months of 2014, China and Vietnam maintained stability in the South China Sea. The year 2014 started with promising management of the situation, with the initiation in January of a departmental-level mechanism for bilateral consultation on joint development at sea. This has opened a new channel for the two countries to deal with more sensitive issues, and jointly explore and exploit non-living resources in the area claimed by the two countries.

However, tensions at sea escalated when the two sides strengthened their presence in the operation area by sending more vessels - law-enforcement as well as fishing vessels - to thwart each other's actions.