Beijing denies refusing dialogue with Hanoi

A senior diplomat dismissed on Friday Vietnamese reports that Beijing has rejected Hanoi's suggestion to hold a bilateral summit and high-level meetings.

Communications between the two neighbors are smooth regarding territorial disputes, said Yi Xianliang, deputy director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs.

Yi also said China has exercised maximum restraint in handling confrontations over a Chinese oil rig in the South China Sea.