Will Paracels dispute overshadow China and Vietnam’s drive for stronger strategic ties?

China and Vietnam are to hold their first high-level ministerial talks under a new platform next week as they seek to cement their strategic alignment despite heightened tensions over Beijing’s new land reclamation works in the disputed South China Sea. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong and Defence Minister Dong Jun will arrive in Vietnam on Sunday to meet their respective counterparts for talks that will run until Tuesday, the Chinese foreign ministry said...