When Li Keqiang visited Vietnam for the first time as Chinese premier last October, his trip was viewed as part of wider effort by Beijing to improve relations with its southeast Asian neighbours amid rising tensions over the South China Sea.
Speaking in Hanoi at the time, Mr Li said China and Vietnam would create a group to discuss joint maritime development. Wu Shicun, head of China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said both sides had “reached consensus to jointly control the South China Sea crisis” and would “play down maritime frictions”.
But six months on, relations are again on the rocks following a decision by Beijing to move an oil rig to disputed waters near the Paracel Islands – an action the US described as “provocative”. Vietnam protested loudly and sent dozens of ships to the area, where they were then involved in clashes with Chinese vessels.