China must respect Vietnam’s legitimate rights and interests in the South China Sea, known as the East Sea in Vietnam, in conformity with international law, Hanoi has just made the statement following Chinese latest aggression since the beginning of this month in the contested sea. 
Vo Van Thuong, head of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Communication and Education Commission, and Zhao Leji, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Politburo’s Standing Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Discipline Inspection Commission in China's Guizhou on July 21. Photo: VNS
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Thuong made the demand at a joint meeting in China’s Guizhou Province with Zhao Leji, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Politburo’s Standing Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Discipline Inspection Commission.
Vietnam repeated protests on China’s approach to Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea (SCS).
Spokeswoman of Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Le Thi Thu Hang. Photo: MOFA
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“This area lies entirely within the Vietnamese waters,” Hang said, demanding China to stop all unlawful activities and withdraw its ships from Vietnamese waters.
The Vietnamese spokesperson informed that Vietnam has made contacts with China in multiple occasions via different channels, delivered diplomatic note to oppose China’s violations.
US State Department spokesman Morgan Ortagus. Photo: State.gov
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“China’s repeated provocative actions aimed at the offshore oil and gas development of other claimant states threaten regional energy security and undermine the free and open Indo-Pacific energy market,” according to the spokeswoman.
The United States firmly opposes coercion and intimidation by any claimant to assert its territorial or maritime claims, she said, adding that China should cease its bullying behavior and refrain from engaging in this type of provocative and destabilizing activity.
Chinese vessel Haiyang Dizhi in South China Sea. Photo: South China Morning Post
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Chinese and Vietnamese coast guard vessels have reportedly been engaged in a week-long confrontation around Vietnam’s Bai Tu Chinh (Vanguard Bank) in the SCS, according to Stratfor.
The standoff was allegedly sparked when the Chinese survey ship Haiyang Dizhi 8 entered the area on July 3 to carry out a mapping mission. The ship was escorted by several Chinese coast guard vessels and maritime militia ships, as well as dozens of merchant marine vessels, including those believed to belong to some of its state-owned energy giants, including the China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) and the China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC).
Vietnamese people protest China's deployment of Haiyang 981 in South China Sea in 2014. Ilustrative photo
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After the reports, the Vietnams Foreign Ministry said on July 16 the country will resolutely “fight violations” in its sea areas.
In 2014, Beijing deployed oil rig Haiyang 981 near Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands. The Chinese violation sparked protests across Vietnam.
