China Vietnam

The call between the two nations' foreign ministers came on the final day of a state visit by China's defense minister.

The new tensions reinforce existing worries about Chinese conduct in the South China Sea.

The interaction highlighted the ongoing activity in the security realm between the two sides in spite of significant lingering differences.

The patrols serve as a rare example of limited collaboration between the two sides in the maritime realm.

Reports indicate Beijing’s coercive efforts continue even as it plays up a cooling down period in the South China Sea.

The management of border issues remains a key priority for both sides this year.

Incident is a warning that despite attempts to downplay the flashpoint, tensions could quickly escalate.