China-Vietnam faceoff escalates after new law

China today began deploying naval vessels to patrol the disputed South China Sea while warning Vietnam not to implement its new maritime law affirming sovereignty over the contested islands. The law came into effect on Tuesday.

China cautioned Hanoi that the move would escalate bilateral tensions. Foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunyang, in a statement from Beijing, urged Vietnam to refrain from taking any actions that could complicate and escalate issues between the two countries.

Hua stressed China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands called by China Xisha and Nansha Islands and Paracel islands by Vietnam.

"Any claim raised by any other country and any action taken by any other nation to territorial sovereignty over the islands and waters are illegal and invalid," Hua said, adding China is deeply concerned about the negative impact of the implementation of the law.

In June, the Vietnam National Assembly passed the "Vietnamese Law of the Sea," describing the Islands as being within Vietnam's sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Consequently, Vietnam had set up a fishery bureau with powers to patrol the waters, check the ships of other countries and investigate any violations.