China and Vietnam will manage and properly control their maritime disputes, avoiding actions to complicate or widen them, so as to maintain peace in the South China Sea, the two nations said in a joint communique China released on Monday. Both countries agreed to “manage and properly control maritime disputes, not take any actions to complicate the situation or expand the dispute, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea”, it added. The document, released by the Foreign Ministry, said both had a "candid and deep" exchange of views on maritime issues, and agreed to use an existing border talks mechanism to look for a lasting resolution.

China, Vietnam agree to keep South China Sea tensions in check. (2017, May 16). Malaya Business Insight, p. B5.