US voices concern about China’s interference in Vietnam’s oil and gas activities
Pham Huan, VOV correspondent in Washington -
(VOVWORLD) - The US Department of State on Thursday said it is deeply concerned about China’s interference in Vietnam’s longstanding oil and gas activities in Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
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 A Vietnam Coast Guard ship is on mission around the DK1/15 oil rig.
(Photo: VNA)
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The statement came after China’s survey vessel group Haiyang Dizhi 8 returned to Vietnam’s EEZ on August 13.
The Department said China’s action calls into serious question Beijing’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes.
China’s redeployment of a government-owned survey vessel, together with armed escorts, into Vietnamese waters was an “escalation by Beijing in its efforts to intimidate other claimants out of developing resources in the East Sea,” said the State Department.
Earlier the same day, Vietnam demanded that China immediately withdraw all vessels from Vietnam’s EEZ.
Pham Huan, VOV correspondent in Washington