STANDING BESIDE THE PHILIPPINES PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung highlighted their "shared" concern about the "extremely dangerous situation" "caused by China's many actions that violate international law", a common determination to stand against China, and a joint appeal for the world to "condemn China" and demand China end its "violations".

Such remarks, along with Nguyen's claim that Vietnam may follow Manila's example and take "legal actions" against Beijing, are clear signs that the situation in the South China Sea is becoming even more complicated, and are a reminder that Hanoi's overtures for bilateral moves toward a peaceful resolution of its dispute with China should be taken with a grain of salt.

Tensions in the Asia-Pacific have taken a dangerous turn lately. The cronies of the outside instigator crouching in the shadows are ganging up in an attempt to contain China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently unveiled Beijing's new Asian security outlook, which seeks to promote "common, comprehensive, cooperative, sustainable" security. The words and deeds of Tokyo, Manila, and now Hanoi, however, disprove their claims of a shared commitment to peace and the peaceful resolution of the disputes.

Peace is out of the question when they opt for confrontation.

A tall tree catches the wind, and China's international profile has risen in such a manner that some countries are worried and even fearful of it. And even though the tree craves calm, the wind won't abate. Proceeding from their own instincts, these countries have moved to bully China.

Beijing has demonstrated great patience and made strenuous endeavors to showcase its dedication to peace and good-neighborliness. The repeated promise to "befriend, pacify, and enrich neighboring countries", including at the just concluded Shanghai Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, is a cornerstone of the leadership's ideal of a world where all nations co-exist in harmony.

However, Vietnam's latest show of solidarity with the Philippines on fault-finding should serve as a wake-up call to Beijing that solving disputes through peaceful consultations may well be one-sided wishful thinking.

Hanoi's unapologetic attitude after the fatal anti-China riots in Vietnam, as well as its assumption of an openly confrontational approach indicate it wishes to confront China while benefiting from Chinese investments and markets.

A comprehensive review of our relations with Vietnam is imperative. And Hanoi must be told it cannot have it both ways.

(China Daily USA 05/23/2014 page16)