South China Sea: Fear of total war surge as Vietnamese Foreign Minister warns Beijing

THE VIETNAMESE foreign minister Pham Binh Minh has warned against actions which could raise tensions over the hotly disputed South China Sea.

Sun, Sep 29, 2019 |

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Mr Pham’s comments are likely to be considered a direct warning to China. Beijing and Hanoi have disputes over the Spratly Islands, also claimed by The Philippines and Taiwan and the Parcacel Islands, also claimed by Taipei. Mr Pham, also Deputy Prime Minister said at the UN General Assembly: “Vietnam has on many occasions voiced its concerns over the recent complicated developments in the South China Sea, including serious incidents that infringed upon Vietnam’s sovereignty.

“Relevant states should exercise restraint and refrain from conducting unilateral acts, which might complicate or escalate tensions at sea, and settle disputes by peaceful means.”

Beijing has sent coastguard vessels to an energy block operated by Russia’s Rosnet Oil PJSC near Vietnamese shores.

The US has accused China of intimidating other claimants from developing resources in the disputed waters.

China has responded by accusing Washington of attempting sow discontent with other nations.

Vietnam's Foreign Minister has delivered a thinly veiled dig at China at the UN (Image: GETTY)

A Vietnamese fishing vessel and Chinese naval ships in the disputed sea (Image: GETTY)

It accused non-regional nations of “hyping up the tensions”.

In a previous statement, Hanoi’s Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said: “Vietnam welcomes and is willing to join other nations and the international community” in order to maintain peace, stability and security.

The Vietnamese word for the South China Sea translates as East Sea.

One-third of international shipping passes throughout.