China Downplays Dispute with Vietnam in South China Sea - Institute for Maritime and Ocean Affairs

China is downplaying an incident in which Chinese and Vietnamese vessels collided in a disputed area of the South China Sea, where Beijing has set up a state-run oil rig over the objections of Hanoi.

Speaking Thursday in Beijing, Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping declined to describe the incident as a “clash.” He also said he is optimistic China can peacefully resolve the situation with Vietnam, which he called a “friendly” neighbor.

“Certainly the two sides have some disputes in the relevant area; but, I think, as I just stressed, China and Vietnam are friendly neighbors and the friendly cooperation between the two countries is in the fundamental interests of both countries,” he said. “I believe China and Vietnam can resolve the relevant disputes through peaceful negotiations.”