The United States and Japan expressed on May 9, 2014 that they are very concerned about the newest issue between Vietnam and China over contested waters. It has been reported that Tokyo is urging Beijing to take appropriate actions. The latest concerns of the two countries came after Hanoi stated that Chinese vessels banged its patrol ships and pointed water cannon on them in a disputed patch of the South China Sea.
In the meantime, China and Japan are continuing to feud over a small island grouping in the East China Sea in between claims that Beijing is now becoming more assertive. The Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, while talking to reporters said, “We have strong concerns as there is information that many Vietnamese vessels were damaged and some people were injured”.
The top spokesperson of the government said that they are worried as tensions in the region have increased with China starting rigging activities that are happening in the South China Sea’s disputed waters. Moreover, issues between the communist neighbors have risen ever since Beijing unilaterally proclaimed that it is planning to relocate the rig. The move was described by the United States as provocative.
Photo Credits: NYtimes
