We now know Vietnam's immediate reaction to China's recent steps to begin drilling for oil in a part of the South China Sea that both sides claim. More than 20,000 Vietnamese workers spilled out of control at two Singapore-run industrial parks, attacking factories thought to be Chinese-owned.
With reports that dozens have been killed and more hospitalized, other manufacturers have been closing out of precaution. Global supply chains have felt the effects and Hanoi has wisely asserted domestic order.
Will conflict escalate? Must Vietnam be the only one to protest or will others too respond?