China and Vietnam have agreed to manage and properly control disagreements on the open seas, vowing not to take any actions to complication the situation. <br/><br/>A joint statement released by China and Vietnam indicated that both nations will seek to keep maritime peace and refrain from belligerent actions. Despite positive discussions between Hanoi and Beijing last week, the statement said, both sides need to take proactive measures ensure their differences do not widen. <br/><br/>Since his election, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has backed off of his country's previous claims in the South China Sea, presumably to pursue better ties with Beijing. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson remarked that China's activities in the South China Sea amounted to an illegal taking of disputed areas without regard for international norms. <br/><br/>Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei also claim to own some of the islets and reefs in the South China Sea.