Xinhua published a report from Beijing Youth Daily about U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Vietnam. On December 16, Kerry announced a pledge of US$18 million in aid to Vietnam to strengthen Vietnam’s coastal patrol. Kerry said this assistance had nothing to do with the South China Sea issue.
The report said that Kerry gave a pretty name, “maritime security assistance,” to the aid but the U.S.’s intentions were quite clear. The report, citing Associated Press, said that the United States is directly targeting China by aiding Vietnam. It said that Kerry also spared no effort to meddle in the East China Sea issue. He mentioned Japan-China relations at a news conference, urging both sides to "strengthen dialogue and diplomatic efforts" to resolve their East China Sea-related differences.
Source: Xinhua, December 18, 2013
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2013-12/18/c_125875820.htm