Tensions between China and Vietnam increased after China was accused of carrying out "provocative action" aimed at halting the latter鈥檚 recent oil drilling efforts in the disputed Vanguard Reef.
Hostilities intensified after Vietnam announced plans to expand its drilling activities in Block 05-1A, a disputed area that falls in Hanoi鈥檚 exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Meanwhile, China was accused of sending its vessels, including the research vessel "Xiang Yang Hong 10", accompanied by two coastguards and seven fishing vessels, to the disputed area, according to an account on a Chinese social media platform, South China Sea Wave.
China鈥檚 countermove was also described as a violation of the Declaration on the Code of Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea, signed between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in 2002, of which China is also a member.
While satellite images show ship movements, China and Vietnam have made no official announcements, though Vietnam is said to have responded to China's move by deploying five vessels to the area.
Duan Dang, the author of the online blog South China Sea Brief, described China鈥檚 move in a Twitter post as a "provocative action that appears to be aimed at pressuring Vietnam to halt its new drilling campaign in Block 05-1a."
- Mounting disputes in South China Sea
In 1947, China first published a map claiming sovereignty over 80% of the South China Sea, while its riparian countries, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei also laid claim to the region.
The South China Sea has been the subject of rising tension over these countries鈥� conflicting sovereignty rights that share maritime borders since these states gained independence following the Second World War.
Along with these regional countries, the US also opposes China鈥檚 military presence on the disputed islands.
Reporting by Emre Aytekin in Beijing
Writing by Basak Erkalan
Anadolu Agency
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