Some less than happy at elevated neighbors' ties

Several weeks ago, Hanoi designated both the United States and Japan as "comprehensive strategic partners". This is Vietnam's highest official designation for a diplomatic relationship and one that Hanoi has used for its relations for China starting 15 years ago. Media in the US heralded the announcement as though the US is now standing on the same starting line with China in a race to draw the Southeast Asian country to the side of one country or the other.

The sensitivity the US media have displayed to such a diplomatic term should leave no one in doubt that the unease they have displayed over Hanoi and Beijing further upgrading their ties on Tuesday indicates it has taken them by surprise.

The sour grapes some US media organizations have shown at China-Vietnam relations being elevated from that "highest official designation" to a strategic China-Vietnam community with a shared future indicates they were not expecting China to leave the US flatfooted on the line.