Beijing, Hanoi promise to keep peace in South China Sea

aHANOI: China and Vietnam vowed Sunday to keep the peace in the South China Sea, the resource-rich waterway that has long been a source of tension between Hanoi and its powerhouse communist neighbour.

China claims most of the disputed sea, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas reserves and is highly strategic for trade and defence.

Beijing has built up artificial islands capable of hosting military installations in recent years, stoking ire from claimants like Vietnam, which has emerged as China’s most vocal opponent in the waterway. Foreign ministers from China and Vietnam vowed Sunday to address disputes peacefully.

“Both sides should abide by the basic governing principles on resolving maritime issues. Both sides should not apply unilateral measures that would complicate the situation,” China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters in Hanoi during an official visit to Vietnam. His Vietnamese counterpart echoed calls to peacefully resolve disputes.

“We are ready to work with China to resolve arising issues,” Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh told reporters.

He added both sides should “properly manage differences, not expand disputes (and) respect legitimate rights and interests of the other in accordance with international law”.