Satellite photo shows Chinese-controlled North Island, part of the Paracel Islands group in the South China Sea, on Sept 29. A scheduled meeting between their foreign ministers in August was cancelled on the sidelines of a regional gathering in Manila amid an argument about militarisation in the South China Sea and island-building. "Both sides will uphold the principle of friendly consultations and dialogue to jointly manage and control maritime disputes, and protect the bigger picture of developing Sino-Vietnam relations and stability in the South China Sea." The latter point is a contentious one in the South China Sea, where Vietnam has long said China's extensive territorial claim has no legal basis. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan also claim parts of the South China Sea, and dispute China's contention of sovereignty over most of the waters.

Source: Bangkok Post November 03, 2017 09:14 UTC