The tension between China and other Asian nations concerning the South China Sea, as well as issues between the U.S. and China, isn't so bad, state-run Chinese media said Friday.

Frank discussion between the U.S. and China were signs of a mature relationship and the South China Sea was calmer than it appeared, according to two authoritative commentaries that were published in conjunction on the Communist Party's People's Daily's website.

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The Global Times column from editor Ma Xiaochun said "some overseas media" over the past year had hyped the South China Seas issue to make it seem the situation was out of control and close to war.

Disputes over islands, drilling and fishing rights across the resource rich South China Sea has embroiled China in maritime, and even aerial, sparring with Vietnam, the U.S., Japan and the Philippines in recent years. It also has brought about hard feelings between the mainland and Taiwan and Brunei.

China also has had a heated dispute with Japan over similar issues in the East China Sea. Due to treaty obligations with the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan, the U.S. has been drawn into the dispute as well.

The truth of the matter was China was flexible in its desire to find a solution to the question of who owns economic rights and territory in the area, Ma said.

While there were "indeed some frictions between China and Vietnam as well as the Philippines," dual-track negotiations would create a stable and peaceful situation, Ma said. Vietnam and the Philippines have turned down those requests previously, instead calling for regional talks.

At the same time, Su Xiaohui, of People's Daily, said the recent meeting between Secretary of State John Kerry and China State Councillor Yang Jiechi resulted in "'frank discussions,'" which was "diplomatic speak for disagreement."

While the relationship between the two nations was challenging, with the South China issue at the top of the list, Su said frank talks were an encouraging sign because that was the first step toward building a positive relationship resulting in "win-win cooperation."

TagsVietnam, diplomacy, foreign affaors, U.S. foreign policy, U.S.-China