Sino-Vietnam tensions increase in South China Sea

Tensions over disputed oil and gas fields in the South China Sea flared yesterday when Vietnam accused China of cutting a cable being used by a seismic survey craft operated by state-owned PetroVietnam, the Wall Street Journal reported. Vietnam said the action was “completely premeditated” and violated Vietnam’s sovereignty. Two weeks ago Vietnam said China had similarly sabotaged another survey boat. Both incidents occurred within 200 miles of Vietnam’s coast, which it argues is its special economic zone under international law. China, which claims the entire South China Sea as its territory, denied any wrongdoing and urged competing claimants to cease drilling for oil and gas. Vietnam is taking an increasingly belligerent posture toward China, allowing for public protests against Chinese territorial claims and inviting foreign navies to use its base at Cam Ranh Bay for repair and refueling. The Philippines has also complained to the United Nations that the Chinese navy have interrupted oil exploration operations near the Reed Bank and of firing on Filipino fisherman at Jackson Atoll, both of which are close to the Philippines.