China and Vietnam must avoid disputes spiraling out of control. History has shown that a showdown between two socialist countries will be particularly catastrophic as both have a strong ability to mobilize the public.
DF-15B short-range ballistic missile system in night training Soldiers assigned to a brigade of the PLA Rocket Force prepare a DF-15B short-range ballistic missile system at night for a training exercise in east China on June 20, 2017.
Type 96B MBTs move on mock treadway bridge Type 96B MBTs attached to an armored regiment of the PLA Xinjiang MC move on mock treadway bridges during a driving skills training exercise in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on June 22, 2017.
Frigate flotilla completes training in South China Sea Sailors aboard the guided-missile frigate Qingyuan (Hull 589) drop a floating target overboard during a four-day maritime training exercise in waters of the South China Sea from June 17 to 21, 2017.
Illumination flares light shooting range A soldier assigned to a brigade of the PLA 73rd Group Army fires a Type-89 12.7mm heavy machine gun at mock enemies as illumination flares light the range during a live-fire training exercise in southeast China's Fujian Province on June 21, 2017.
25th Chinese naval escort taskforce visits Vanuatu The guided-missile frigates Hengyang (Hull 568) and Yulin (Hull 569) arrives at the Port Vila Harbor in Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu, June 24, 2017 for a friendly visit to Vanuatu.
China's aircraft carrier formation sets out for training mission A flotilla with aircraft carrier Liaoning sets out from Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, June 25, 2017, for a routine training mission.
Xi inspects PLA base in Shanxi, meets with military officers Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), meets in Taiyuan with military officers of troop units of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and Armed Police Force stationed in Shanxi Province, June 22, 2017.
In Pics: JH-7A fighter bombers in training for international "Aviadarts" competition JH-7A fighter bombers attached to a brigade under the air force of the PLA Northern Theater Command conduct training in preparation for the upcoming "Aviadarts" competition event of the 2017 International Army Games from July 29 to August 12.
China advances maritime space monitoring and control capability Chinese space tracking ship Yuanwang-7 set sail on June 9 for another maritime space monitoring and control mission.
Military truck convey maneuver in Xizang A military truck convey carrying armored vehicles are en route to the designated area during a maneuver exercise in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.
