Vietnam's Trade With China Flourishes Despite South China Sea Tensions

Tensions between Vietnam and China resurfaced in July over disputed territory in the South China Sea. Despite the nationalist bickering, trade between the Asian neighbors continues to flourish. But unlike China, Vietnam has welcomed U.S. involvement in the dispute.

Despite nationalist tensions, business along the border of Vietnam and China is flourishing.

Officials in Lang Son Province say close to $3 billion in agricultural and electronic goods are traded every year with China.
"In the field of trading recently, as you know, it is happening normally, there are no obstacles," said Nguyen Van Chuong, director of the Tan Thanh customs office, who says trade is increasing annually by 20 percent. "Both sides create good conditions for the exchange of goods. You can see the trucks are passing very well now," he added.

Vietnam allowed a series of rare public protests against China in July after Beijing made deals for oil exploration in territory Vietnam disputes in the South China Sea.

The Hong Ji ship from China gets coal at a port of the Cua Ong Coal Preparation Company in Cam Pha town, in Vietnam's northeast Quang Ninh province, September 21, 2010.-Laos News (October 04, 2012 )