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Pentagon Accuses China of 'Bullying Tactics' in Waters Off Vietnam

Reuters

   China is carrying out "coercive interference" in oil and gas activities
   in waters claimed by Vietnam, the Pentagon said Monday, accusing
   Beijing of using "bullying tactics."

   A Chinese survey vessel on Saturday extended its activities to an area
   closer to Vietnam's coastline, ship tracking data showed, after the
   United States and Australia expressed concern about China's actions in
   the disputed waterways.

   "Recently, China resumed its coercive interference in Vietnam's
   longstanding oil and gas activities in the South China Sea," a Pentagon
   statement said.

   The Pentagon said Beijing's activities were contradictory to Chinese
   Defense Minister Wei Fenghe's pledge in a speech in Singapore earlier
   this year that China would "stick to the path of peaceful development."

   "China will not win the trust of its neighbors nor the respect of the
   international community by maintaining its bullying tactics," the
   statement added.

   The Haiyang Dizhi 8 vessel first entered Vietnam's exclusive economic
   zone (EEZ) early last month where it began a weeks-long seismic survey,
   triggering a tense standoff between military and coast guard vessels
   from Vietnam and China.

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