A Chinese analysis vessel and its escort, which had been working in Vietnam’s unique economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea for nearly a month, left the world on June 5. The departure coincided with high-level talks between the US and China. The Chinese vessel Xiang Yang Hong 10 had been sailing in Vietnam’s EEZ since May 7, often accompanied by a dozen ships and crossing fuel and oil fields operated by Russian firms. The ship’s activities have been a source of tension within the area, as Beijing claims many of the energy-rich South China Sea, together with foreign EEZs.
“The Chinese scientific research vessel carrying out normal research activities in maritime waters beneath China’s jurisdiction is respectable and correct. The concern of coming into one other country’s EEZ does not exist,” China’s foreign ministry stated in a press release. However, under international legislation, ships are allowed to sail through foreign EEZs, however unauthorised surveys aren’t permitted.
In a rare public protest, the Vietnamese government urged the Chinese analysis ship and its escort to leave the country’s EEZ on May 25, following a visit to Hanoi by senior Russian official Dmitry Medvedev. Secret , who leads Stanford University’s Project Myoushu on the South China Sea, confirmed that the Chinese analysis ship was seen approaching China’s Hainan island on June 6..