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Chinese Ship Returns Near Vietnam Border

VOA News

   A Chinese ship was back in the part of the South China Sea claimed by
   Vietnam, days after China sank a Vietnamese fishing boat -- adding to
   fears that Beijing might use the coronavirus pandemic to distract from
   its maritime maneuvers.

   The ship, Haiyang Dizhi, returned to Vietnam's Exclusive Economic Zone
   before 6 p.m. Vietnam time Tuesday, according to Marine Traffic, a
   commercial service that tracks vessels and cargo.

   The biggest source of tension between the two nations has long been the
   disputed South China Sea, which the United States considers one of the
   most likely sites in the world for a future military skirmish.

   The Chinese ship's arrival threatens to escalate tensions after the
   sinking of the Vietnamese vessel on April 2.

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