The incident is the most serious between the countries at sea in years, with dozens of boats now in the area. The US state department called Beijing's move to introduce an oilrig in the area "provocative."
"This unilateral action appears to be part of a broader pattern of Chinese behavior to advance its claims over disputed territory in a manner that undermines peace and stability in the region," spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. "We are also very concerned about dangerous conduct and intimidation by vessels operating in this area," she said, calling on all parties to operate in a "safe and professional manner."
The events, she added, highlighted the need for claimants to disputed areas to clarify their claims in accordance with international law.
They came after China announced last week that it was moving a drilling rig into the area. Vietnam said it had sent maritime police and fisheries vessels, and showed footage at a news conference of Chinese ships ramming its vessels. Six officials had been injured, it said.
China, meanwhile, said the "disruptive activities by the Vietnamese side are in violation of China's sovereign rights." Tensions have risen over the South China Sea in recent years. China claims a U-shaped swathe that overlaps areas claimed by several of its neighbors.
The Philippines is currently taking China to the UN court over maritime territorial disputes between the two. On Wednesday, Philippine police seized a Chinese fishing boat and detained its 11 crew in another disputed part of the South China Sea.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
