Chinese survey ship moves closer to Vietnamese coast amid tensions over South China Sea
- Vessel triggered tense stand-off between military and coastguard ships when it entered Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone last month
- It comes after Vietnamese prime minister and his Australian counterpart expressed concern about China’s activities in disputed waters
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.
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 stand-off between military and coastguard vessels from Vietnam and China.
The Chinese vessel continued to survey Vietnam’s EEZ on Saturday under escort from at least four ships and was around 102km (63 miles) southeast of Vietnam’s Phu Quy island and 185km (115 miles) from the beaches of the southern city of Phan Thiet, according to data from Marine Traffic, a website that tracks vessel movements.
The Chinese vessel group was followed by at least two Vietnamese naval vessels, according to the data.
Vietnam’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A country’s EEZ typically extends up to 200 nautical miles (370km or 230 miles) from its coastline, according to an international UN treaty. That country has sovereign rights to exploit any natural resources within that area, according to the agreement.