(VOV) - The US is concerned about China’s pursuit and firing at a fishing boat from  Quang Ngai province in the waters of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa or Paracel archipelago on March 20. Acting Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State Patrick Ventrell said the US has a national interest in maintaining peace and stability, and respecting international law and maritime freedom in the East Sea. The US strongly opposes the threat or use of force or coercion by any claimant to advance its claims in the East Sea. Ventrell said the incident underlines the need to have a Code of Conduct in the East Sea to deal with similar cases in a “transparent and rule-based way”.