Vietnam briefs India about Chinese action in South China Sea

Vietnam has briefed India about escalating tension in South China Sea after China deployed a large number of survey vessels in Vietnamese waters including around areas where India's ONGC has oil exploration projects.

On July 4, Chinese survey vessel Haiyang Dizhi 8, escorted by a large number of ships including from coast guard began conducting marine seismic surveys near several offshore oil blocks which fall within Vietnam's exclusive ecomic zone, Vietnamese diplomatic sources said.

Chinese action aimed at disrupting oil exploration projects in Vietnam's waters triggered biggest confrontation between two neighbours since 2014 and Vietnam is determined to protect its territorial integrity, y said.

An attempt by China in 2014 to drill oil in Paracel Islands, claimed by Vietnam, h led to anti-China riots in Vietnam in which several Chinese factories were vandalised.

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sources said China h deployed as many as 35 ships to escort Haiyang Dizhi 8, a ship operated by China Geological Survey. 

"We have briefed India about current situation in South China sea as it is a major stakeholder and a key player in region," said a Vietnamese official on condition of anymity. 

China claims sovereignty over all of South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons. However, several ASEAN member countries, including Vietnam, Philippines and Brunei, have counterclaims.

China has been objecting to India's oil exploration projects in Vietnamese waters in South China Sea.

India has been supporting freedom of navigation and access to resources in South China Sea in accordance with principles of international law, including 1982 UN Convention on Law of Sea. 

A spokesperson of Vietnam's Foreign Ministry said in Hai last week that country is determined to safeguard its sovereignty and jurisdiction in South China sea in accordance with international laws.

Besides India, Vietnam has also reached out to US, Russia, Australia and several or leing players against Chinese action which appeared to be aimed at disrupting oil exploration projects in Vietnam's waters, sources said.

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y said China has conducted provocative activities near several oil blocks including block 06/1 where Russia's Rosneft and India's ONGC were involved for oil and gas production for close to 17 years.

"China's activities undoubtedly constitute a clear violation of international law and seriously infringe upon Vietnam's sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its waters in area as provided in UN Convention on Law of Sea (UNCLOS)," official said. 

Vietnamese sources said Vietnam has alrey taken up issue at multiple levels with Chinese government and will go for its "international judicial review" if Beijing does t retreat from its territory.