Source: South China Morning Post [Hong Kong]
“Chinese and Vietnamese vessels have been involved in a new confrontation in a disputed part of the South China Sea after Hanoi tried to expand oil drilling operations in the area, according to social media reports. Neither country has confirmed the encounters, which indicates that both sides are trying to avoid further escalation, according to one Chinese observer. Chinese social media account South China Sea Wave said in a WeChat post on Sunday that more than a dozen vessels were involved in the encounter, which was triggered by an internal notice from the Vietnamese authorities saying they would expand the drilling programme at Block 05-1A near Vanguard Bank this month.” (05/14/23)