A Chinese survey ship on Tuesday [August 13] returned to Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, stirring again concerns over a month-long standoff between the two neighboring nations, Reuters cited Marine Traffic, a website that tracks vessel movements.
A Chinese survey ship
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The return is less than a week after Chinese Haiyang Dizhi 8 left the area which is Vietnam’s Bai Tu Chinh (Vanguard Bank) where the Southeast Asian country has been conducting oil operations for years.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not responded to Reuters' request for comment, the agency said.
Haiyang Dizhi 8 first entered Vietnam EEZ and continental shelf in early July with coast guard escorts and appeared to conduct a seismic survey of waters which are believed to be rich of natural resources as the US challenges China’s maritime claims.
The Chinese ship and escorts had been harassing operations at Vietnamese oil block where a rig leased by Russian oil giant Rosneft has been drilling, Reuters said basing on data from international institutes.
The survey ship, under Vietnam’s strong protest and international criticism, mostly from Washington, left the area on August 7. At an ASEAN forum held in early August, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized Chinese “coercion” in the South China Sea.
After it left the area, the survey ship docked at Vietnam’s Da Chu Thap (Fiery Cross Reef) -- which is now controlled by China -- a man-made island in Vietnam's Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands.
