Posted on 06/10/2011 2:19:07 PM PDT by PGR88
Vietnam's navy will stage unprecedented live-fire drills off its central coast on Monday in an apparent escalation of Sino-Vietnamese tensions over the South China Sea - a dispute that has so far involved only civilian ships.
The announcement of two exercises over nine hours off Quang Nam province came as China intensified its condemnation of Vietnam over recent incidents. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said Hanoi had "gravely violated" China's sovereignty and endangered the lives of its fishermen in the latest incident on Thursday.
The Chinese statement contradicted Vietnam's protest about an "intentional" attack by a Chinese fishing boat on cables towed by an oil survey ship in its southern waters.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China was the victim, adding armed Vietnamese ships chased away a Chinese fishing boat, whose net became entangled in a Vietnamese survey ship's cables. It was dragged for more than an hour as the fishermen tried to free their boat.
"The Vietnamese ship put the lives and safety of the Chinese fishermen in serious danger," Hong said. "By conducting unlawful oil and gas surveys in the seas around the Wanan Bank of the Spratly archipelago and by driving out a Chinese fishing vessel, Vietnam has gravely violated China's sovereignty and maritime rights. China demands that Vietnam cease all violations."
Vietnam accused Chinese maritime surveillance ships of cutting the cables of another survey ship on May 26 - an incident that sparked a series of diplomatic exchanges, with Beijing telling Hanoi to "refrain from creating trouble". Vietnamese survey ships are intensifying operations as foreign oil firms expand exploration under deals struck with Hanoi - despite Beijing's warnings to halt such activities.
The mounting tension is being monitored in the region and beyond. Washington angered Beijing last year by declaring that the US had a "national interest" in helping to ensure a peaceful regional solution to territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Like a turf war between two rival gangs of thugs. Just communist thugs this time.
Vietnam is taking a lot of business from China and they are becoming a friend of the US! This is pi$$ing China off to no end.
“Like a turf war between two rival gangs of thugs. Just communist thugs this time.”
Agree, let’m have at it. But, the root of issue is is oil.
“Like a turf war between two rival gangs of thugs. Just communist thugs this time.”
Agree, let’m have at it. But, the root of issue is is oil.
Let’s see...Chinese business owners are closing their plants and moving them to Vietnam because they have to pay workers $300 a month in China but only $100 a month in Vietnam.
Comrade, do you hear the cry of the raven in the plains?
Comrade, do you hear the cry of your country in chains?
Uncle Ho sold your sorry asses to the Chinese. Have some more Moo Goo Gai Pan.
Where are the Russians going to come down on this. I bet that they sit this one out.
Is the term “Chinese Fishing Boat” going to enter naval lexicon along side “Russian Trawler”? (wink, nudge)
My Maternal Grandfather fought in the British Army in the Korean War and killed alot of Chinese, Once my Father got U.S. Citzenship in 1972 he went into the Marine Corp went to was at the Fall of Saigon.
Didn't the Chicoms and Charlie fight a war in like 1979 too?
Either way, I can't wait to watch
I don’t think Vietnam cares for China. Realtives have told me so. I forget how many years that has been true.
Jackasses! You deserve every bit of what's coming your way.
The U.S. was dumb enough to believe China and North Vietnam were allies. In 79’ the Chinese attacked to ‘teach them a lesson.’ What they didn’t expect was a butt kicking from the Vietnamese who had been fighting for 20 years.
“The U.S. was dumb enough to believe China and North Vietnam were allies”
Sorry, but who would be f’ing stupid enough to believe the Chinese would be their allies? Ask anyone in Asia. I belive that is so.
If we had a president, he would be supporting VN about now, but sadly, we have no American leadership.
Article doesn’t mention the name, but I suspect this is about who controls the Spratley Islands..
Well Hells Bells WellyP,
Guess we all should go out and try to purchase something from Viet Nam instead of the usual crap from the Chi-Coms.
Love to see a real knock down drag out between the two.
Next time the Chinese go south it will be with a monster army, a huge fleet and nukes. Not going to be a good day for Vietnam.
Times have changed. Back then, Vietnam had a lot of tough combat veterans and lots of military equipment. I haven’t checked, but I bet Vietnam hasn’t been spending much for new arms. The Chinese have. And their combat experience is a draw. Numbers and equipment versus ?
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