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Chinese Research Ships Defy Vietnam's Call to Depart Near Russian-Operated Gas Fields in South China Sea

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Nitish Verma
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Vietnam issues statement demanding China “immediately remove” the survey ship Xiang Yang Hong 10 <br> Image Credit: @AsiaMTI

Amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea, a Chinese research ship and five escort vessels continue to operate in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near gas blocks controlled by Russian firms.

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The presence of the Chinese vessel Xiang Yang Hong 10 in Vietnam's EEZ since May 7 marks a significant incursion and has sparked concerns of a worrying escalation. The situation echoes a similar standoff in 2019, which lasted over three months and targeted gas blocks operated by Russian state oil firm Rosneft. The current dispute involves gas fields operated by Russia's state-owned firm Zarubezhneft, which acquired Rosneft's assets in the South China Sea.

Chinese Ship Navigates Gas Blocks Operated by Russian Firms

Tracking data provided by the South China Sea Chronicle Initiative (SCSCI) reveals that the Chinese research ship, accompanied by a fleet of vessels, has been maneuvering across gas block 04-03, operated by the joint-venture Vietsovpetr, consisting of Zarubezhneft and PetroVietnam. Additionally, the ship has been traversing blocks 132 and 131, licensed to Vietgazprom, a collaboration between Russia's Gazprom and PetroVietnam. It is worth noting that China has made competing bids to secure licenses for these two blocks.

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Vietnam's Demand for Ships to Depart

On Thursday, Vietnam issued a rare public statement demanding the Chinese ships to leave, citing their presence in block 129, also operated by Vietgazprom. This call to action came shortly after a visit to Hanoi by Dmitry Medvedev, former President of Russia and deputy chairman of Russia's security council. In response, two Vietnamese fisheries ships have been shadowing the Chinese vessels from a safe distance of 200-300 meters.

Tensions in the South China Sea

China's expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea encompass vast energy-rich waters, including areas within Vietnam's EEZ. While ships are permitted to navigate through other countries' EEZs under international rules, China's operations have long been regarded as hostile by Vietnam, as well as other nations with territorial claims in the region, such as the Philippines and Indonesia. The continued presence of Chinese ships in Vietnam's EEZ raises concerns over escalating tensions and potential conflicts in the disputed waters.

Geopolitics SouthChinaSea GasFields MaritimeDisagreement
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