China urges Vietnam not to heighten tensions

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Vietnam to refrain from heightening tensions and to respect China's sovereignty and its drilling activity in the South China Sea. His urging comes in the wake of violent anti-Chinese protests across Vietnam.

"Wang Yi said China's position to safeguard its legitimate sovereignty and interests remains clear, explicit, and unchanged. Currently China and Vietnam are communicating on the issue. We urge Vietnam to calm down, respect China's sovereignty and jurisdiction, and refrain from further complicating and exacerbating the situation. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that tensions intensified after Vietnam sent vessels to China's Xisha Islands to interfere with the drilling operations.

But he stressed that Xisha Islands are China's inherent territory. The Chinese company was conducting normal operations near Xisha Islands and the drilling activity had been ongoing for more than ten years. He said such acts violated China's sovereignty and international agreements regarding maritime safety, and undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea.