High Alert, US Smash Chinese 'Bullying' Actions against Asean Allies In The SCS

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The u.s department of defense issued a statement on monday supporting vietnam and criticizing chinese activities in hanoi's exclusive economic zone. the statement described chinese actions as bullying the. Statement follows the intensification of activities by Haiyang Dizzy8, a chinese survey vessel which approached the vietnamese coastline over the weekend. the vessel was conducting activities in vietnam's exclusive economic zone earlier this year which the vietnamese government sharply condemned.

The department of defense is greatly concerned by china's continued efforts to violate the rules-based international order throughout the indo-pacific. The statement noted. china will not win the trust of its neighbors nor the respect of the international community by maintaining its bullying tactics. The statement echoes a warning earlier this summer by the u.s department of state using similar language to condemn activities by chinese vessels in vietnam's exclusive economic zone at Vanguard Bank.

A spokesperson for the u.s department of state released a statement then condemning 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. China's reclamation and militarization of disputed outposts in the south china sea, along with other efforts to assert its unlawful south china sea maritime claims. Tncluding the use of maritime militia to intimidate, coerce and threaten other nations undermine the peace and security of the region, the u.s state department statement had added.

While the united states has long supported freedom of navigation and overflight in the south china sea washington has been more willing to criticize specific chinese behaviors this year. China and vietnam are two among six claimant states in the disputed south china sea, much of which is claimed by beijing under its capacious 9-line claim.

The Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan all maintain claims in the area. Indonesia while not a territorial claimant has also clashed with beijing over parts of its exclusive economic zone which overlaps with the southern reaches of the nine-dash line.

While the united states has long supported freedom of navigation and overflight in the south china sea washington has been more willing to criticize specific chinese behaviors this year. China and Vietnam are two among six claimant states in the disputed south china sea, much of which is claimed by beijing under its capacious 9-line claim.