Oil Exploration in Disputed Waters

Tensions show no sign of easing in an incident between two Chinese fishing vessels and a Vietnamese ship over oil exploration.  Accounts of events differ.

China tells Vietnam to halt oil exploration in disputed waters

(Reuters) – China told Vietnam on Thursday to stop unilateral oil exploration in disputed areas of the South China Sea and not harass Chinese fishing boats, again raising tensions in a protracted maritime territorial dispute with its neighbor.

Vietnam had already expelled Chinese fishing vessels from waters near China’s southern Hainan province, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing.

Hong’s description of the confrontation last Friday was in contrast to the account by Vietnam, which said a Vietnamese ship had a seismic cable it was pulling cut by two Chinese fishing ships.

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Article written by Michael Martina for Reuters.