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You must be dreaming happy dreams in Xi's empire
South China Sea: Vietnam warship hits back at Beijing aggression with ‘combat drills’
VIETNAM has retaliated to Beijing's aggressive claims to the South China Sea, carrying out combat drills" in response to fishing "militias" encroaching on Hanoi's claims to the disputed waters.
By
DYLAN DONNELLY
01:39, Mon, Apr 12, 2021 | UPDATED: 08:14, Mon, Apr 12, 2021
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South China Sea: Philippines ‘keeping options open’ says expert
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China had sent a fleet of fishing vessels with militia aboard to the Spratly Islands earlier this month, despite the Philippines and Vietnam claiming they have control over the territory. In response, Hanoi sent a warship near the disputed island, while the Philippines sent reconnaissance aircraft to observe China’s fishing fleet.
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Vietnam deployed the Quang Trung, an anti-submarine frigate, as well as its on-board helicopter to carry out military drills in view of China’s fishing vessels.
A spokesperson from Hanoi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs blasted the incursion, and stated the “activities of Chinese ships … seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereignty”.
The spokesperson also claimed China’s actions violated the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea.
One of Vietnam’s coast guard ships is moored at Whitsun Reef, and is observing the near 220 Chinese “militia” boats active in the region.
READ MORE: Joe Biden warned of looming conflict with China
South China Sea news: Vietnam has sent a warship to disputed regions to challenge Beijing (Image: PA)
South China Sea news: The Quang Trung was sent to the Spratly Islands after around 220 Chinese vessels were spotted in the area (Image: PA)
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Hanoi’s national broadcaster Vietnam Television also reported last week that “on the Spratly Islands, combat preparations are at the highest levels.”
It follows Chinese vessels gathering in Ba Dau (Whitsun) reef within Vietnam's Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands.
The Philippines first urged China to recall its militia boats from around the disputed islands in March.
Coast guards from Manila also said around 220 vessels were moored at the Whitsun Reef, which Manila calls the Julian Felipe Reef, on March 7.
South China Sea news: Hanoi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the militia boats ‘seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereignty’ (Image: GETTY)
South China Sea news: The Philippines have also told Beijing the militia boats violate their sovereignty (Image: EXPRESS)
Philippines Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana demanded at the time China recall the militia boats as it violated Manila’s sovereignty.
He said: “We call on the Chinese to stop this incursion and immediately recall these boats violating our maritime rights and encroaching into our sovereign territory.”
The Philippines' task force in the disputed region also expressed "deep concern over the continuing unlawful presence (swarming) of the Chinese maritime militia" at the start of April.
In a statement, they said: "Neither the Philippines nor the international community will ever accept China's assertion of its so-called ‘indisputable integrated sovereignty’ over almost all of the South China Sea."
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