AP, HANOIThe US said it is concerned by reports of China’s interference with oil and gas activities in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, where Vietnam has accused Beijing of disregarding its sovereignty. China claims the South China Sea almost in its entirety and has rattled smaller neighbors by constructing seven artificial islands in the disputed waters and equipping them with military runways and outposts. Chinese coast guard vessels also have been reported near a drilling rig in the same Vanguard Bank area where Vietnam has contracted Russia’s Rosneft to develop gas fields. “Vietnam has made contact with China on multiple occasions via different channels, delivered diplomatic notes to oppose China’s violations, and staunchly demanded China to stop all unlawful activities and withdraw its ships from Vietnamese waters,” Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said in a statement Friday. Ortagus called on China to “cease its bullying behavior and refrain from engaging in this type of provocative and destabilizing activities.”

Source: Taipei Times July 21, 2019 15:56 UTC