DHAKA: The US has spoken out over "dangerous conduct and intimidation" in the South China Sea, after ships from Vietnam and China collided in disputed waters.
The collisions came as the Vietnamese ships tried to prevent China setting up an oil rig near the Paracel islands.
The incident is the most serious between the countries at sea in years, with dozens of boats now in the area.
The US state department called Beijing's move to introduce an oil rig in the area "provocative".
"This unilateral action appears to be part of a broader pattern of Chinese behaviour to advance its claims over disputed territory in a manner that undermines peace and stability in the region," spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.
"We are also very concerned about dangerous conduct and intimidation by vessels operating in this area," she said, calling on all parties to operate in a "safe and professional manner".
The events, she added, highlighted the need for claimants to disputed areas to clarify their claims in accordance with international law.
The incidents - of which there are reported to have been at least three - took place close to the Paracel islands, which are controlled by China but also claimed by Vietnam.
They came after China announced last week that it was moving a drilling rig into the area.
Vietnam said it had sent maritime police and fisheries vessels, and showed footage at a news conference of Chinese ships ramming its vessels. Six officials had been injured, it said.
China, meanwhile, said the "disruptive activities by the Vietnamese side are in violation of China's sovereign rights".
Tensions have risen over the South China Sea in recent years. China claims a U-shaped swathe that overlaps areas claimed by several of its neighbours.
The Philippines is currently taking China to the UN court over maritime territorial disputes between the two.
On Wednesday, Philippine police seized a Chinese fishing boat and detained its 11 crew in another disputed part of the South China Sea, prompting a protest from China.
Source: BBC
BDST: 1312 HRS, MAY 08, 2014
