Law of the Sea - South China Sea

A Chinese warship confronted an Indian navy vessel shortly after it left Vietnamese waters in the South China Sea, asking it to identify itself and explain its presence in the waters. “Any navy in the world has full freedom to transit through these waters or high seas", an Indian official complained.

Law of the Sea - South China Sea

Vietnam accused China of another "serious violation" of Vietnamese sovereignty when she alleged that a Chinese fishing boat intentionally rammed and damaged survey cables that a Vietnamese oil ship was towing in waters of the South China Sea which Vietnam claimed to be her EEZ and which was disputed by China. Later, Vietnam appeared ready to impoverish its people yet again with military adventures when she announced that she would conduct a "routine" live-fire naval exercises off its coast and the Vietnamese prime minister signed an order on eligibility for military conscription.

Law of the Sea - South China Sea

With the Philippines calling China's actions in the South China Sea as "the most serious breach" of the 2002 Asean-China DOC and Vietnam calling China's "nine-dotted line" as having no basis in international law, Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie made clear that “freedom of navigation has never been impeded” in the South China Sea. Later, a Chinese FM spokesman said that “China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and adjacent waters" and that China's position “has remained unchanged for centuries". Later, Chinese ambassador to the Philippines called on the neighbouring states to stop searching for oil near the Spratly Islands, saying, "We will never use force unless we are attacked,"

Law of the Sea - South China Sea

Vietnam accused China of violating its sovereignty and EEZ, alleging that three Chinese patrol ships rushed a Vietnamese oil exploration vessel and damaged its cables while it was conducting survey and drilling operations in waters of the South China Sea disputed by both countries. A Chinese FM spokeswoman replied that Vietnam's offshore exploration of oil and gas in China's jurisdictional areas "undermined China's interests and jurisdictional rights in the South China Sea and violated the consensus both countries have reached on the issue".