The Great Game: Is Britain playing both sides in China-Vietnam standoff?

‘Just a day after the UK pledged to bolster its support for Vietnam, the British government has promised China almost identical defense cooperation – despite the fact that the two Asian nations are teetering on the edge of a potential armed standoff.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon met with his Chinese counterpart, Chang Wanquan, in London on Thursday on the sidelines of an international conference on UN peacekeeping.
Hours earlier, it was reported that a similar agreement had been reached with military officials from China’s fierce local rival, Vietnam.’
Read more: The Great Game: Is Britain playing both sides in China-Vietnam standoff?