Goodwill moves in dispute control

Visiting General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong of the Communist Party of Vietnam was well received in Beijing by top Chinese leaders. As this year marks the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship, Beijing and Hanoi have a golden opportunity to build upon their time-honored friendship and better manage their differences.

Experience tells us as long as the two countries stick to the principles of mutual respect and friendly consultation, they can transcend their differences and remain good neighbors, good friends and good partners.

On Wednesday, the two neighbors pledged in a joint communiqu�� to control their disputes over maritime issues, comprehensively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, reach a code of conduct for those waters through negotiations at an early date, and avoid actions that may complicate or escalate the disputes.