China blames Vietnam for escalating South China Sea spat

Jun 14, 2011, 12:19 GMT

Beijing - China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday blamed Vietnam for escalating a row over a disputed area of the South China Sea.

'The recent South China Sea affair was because some countries took unilateral actions, harmed China's sovereignty and maritime rights, and made some speeches which do not conform with the facts,' ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters.

Hong said the unnamed countries had 'tried to widen and complicate the issue.'

In an apparent reference to the recent US offer to join multilateral talks over the South China Sea, he said China wanted 'non-relevant countries to respect the relevant countries' efforts to resolve disputes through negotiations and consultations'.

'China is maintaining its own justified rights, not infringing upon other countries,' Hong said.

A commentary on Tuesday in the Liberation Army Daily, the Chinese military's official newspaper, carried similar messages.

The newspaper said Vietnam's live-fire drills off its central coast on Monday could only worsen relations with China.

'It has been proved by history that any move to play up disputes, sharpen contradictions, or intentionally internationalize disputes, will only make the situation worse,' the commentary said.

It also said China opposed the involvement of 'non-relevant' nations in negotiations over the South China Sea.

Political tempers have been rising between China and Vietnam since May 26, when Vietnam accused China of cutting the cables of an oil survey vessel. A week later, Hanoi said Chinese boats had harassed another survey ship.

The tension ignited rare public demonstrations in Vietnam's two major cities, organized via Facebook and other social network forums, with hundreds protesting outside Chinese diplomatic missions over two consecutive weekends.

China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei have competing claims to various parts of the South China Sea. The disputed islands and surrounding waters are believed to be rich in fish and mineral resources.

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