BEIJING/HANOI - During his first visit to Vietnam since taking office in 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for effective management of maritime disputes as both countries seek to ease tensions stemming from territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Xi was quoted in a local newspaper as pledging to seek a “basic, permanent approach that is acceptable to both sides”.
Throughout the negotiation process, Xi said, both sides should “maintain maritime stability and discuss ways of maritime co-operation to create favourable conditions for bilateral ties”.