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Top Chinese diplomat visits Vietnam amid tensions Top Chinese diplomat visits Vietnam amid tensions
(about 5 hours later)
China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi is in Vietnam and set to begin talks with officials, in a bid to ease tensions. China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi is in Vietnam for talks aimed at easing tension over territorial disputes.
The two countries have disputing claims in the South China Sea. China's foreign ministry said Beijing hoped to have a "frank and deep exchange of opinions".
China's foreign affairs ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said China hopes to have a "frank and deep exchange of opinions" on maritime issues. Last month, China moved an oil rig to waters deep into territory claimed by both countries off the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.
"We hope that Vietnam can focus on the big picture, work together with China, and handle matters appropriately," she said. Vietnam reacted angrily, and anti-China riots and attacks on factories left several people dead.
In May, China moved its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 to waters claimed by Vietnam near the disputed Paracel Islands, sparking bitter protest. Many of the factories were in fact Taiwanese owned.
Anti-China demonstrations were held in several parts of Vietnam, culminating in riots that saw factories burnt and four killed. In response, China pulled many of its citizens out of Vietnam, and trade between the two countries has suffered badly.
Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said the rig would be discussed during talks with Mr Yang, according to news agencies.
Mr Yang's visit is the highest-level direct contact since the oil rig was moved on 2 May. He is China's state councillor, a post which outranks the foreign minister.
Since then, Chinese and Vietnamese boats have been squaring off in waters near the rig, with a Vietnam boat sinking after it collided with a Chinese ship in late May.Since then, Chinese and Vietnamese boats have been squaring off in waters near the rig, with a Vietnam boat sinking after it collided with a Chinese ship in late May.
Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said the oil rig would be discussed during talks with Mr Yang.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement that she hoped Vietnam could "focus on the big picture".
Mr Yang's visit is the highest-level direct contact since the oil rig was moved on 2 May.
China has said the rig will remain in its present location until August.China has said the rig will remain in its present location until August.
Both countries have also taken the dispute to the United Nations, and have submitted dossiers on their claims to UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.Both countries have also taken the dispute to the United Nations, and have submitted dossiers on their claims to UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.
China's decision to send a top envoy to Vietnam to discuss the issue appears to show a willingness to engage, compared to earlier strongly-worded rhetoric. Beijing had accused Vietnam of "provocations" in the South China Sea, claiming its ships had been rammed more than 1,400 times by Vietnamese vessels.
Beijing had accused Vietnam of "provocations" in the South China Sea, claiming its ships have been rammed more than 1,400 times by Vietnamese vessels. Its foreign affairs ministry has also in recent weeks called Vietnam's claims to the Paracel Islands "absurd and laughable". Beijing has also in recent weeks called Vietnam's claims to the Paracel Islands "absurd and laughable".
But China is also going ahead with its own plans to boost its presence in the disputed area. Over the weekend Beijing announced it will build a school in the Paracel Islands. But China is also going ahead with its own plans to boost its presence in the disputed area.
Over the weekend Beijing announced it will build a school in the Paracel Islands.