UPDATE 1-Pentagon accuses China of 'bullying tactics' in waters off Vietnam

(Adds details, background)
WASHINGTON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - China is carrying out
"coercive interference" in oil and gas activities in waters
claimed by Vietnam, the Pentagon said on Monday, accusing
Beijing of using "bullying tactics."
A Chinese survey vessel on Saturday extended its activities
to an area closer to Vietnam's coastline, ship tracking data
showed, after the United States and Australia expressed concern
about China's actions in the disputed waterways. "Recently, China resumed its coercive interference in
Vietnam's longstanding oil and gas activities in the South China
Sea," a Pentagon statement said.
The Pentagon said Beijing's activities were contradictory to
Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe's pledge in a speech in
Singapore earlier this year that China would "stick to the path
of peaceful development."
"China will not win the trust of its neighbors nor the
respect of the international community by maintaining its
bullying tactics," the statement added.
The Haiyang Dizhi 8 vessel first entered Vietnam's exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) early last month where it began a weeks-long
seismic survey, triggering a tense standoff between military and
coastguard vessels from Vietnam and China.
Vietnam, which has developed increasingly close ties with
Washington given shared concerns about China, has demanded that
Beijing remove the vessel amid a month-long standoff in waters
seen as a potential global flashpoint.
Vietnam and China have for years been embroiled in a dispute
over the potentially energy-rich stretch of waters and a busy
shipping lane in the South China Sea.
Beijing's top diplomat, Wang Yi, said last month that
maritime problems involving Vietnam should not interfere with
their ties.
Last week, the U.S. State Department said Chinese actions
were "an escalation by Beijing in its efforts to intimidate
other claimants out of developing resources in the South China
Sea." The Pentagon statement came as U.S. President Donald Trump
on Monday predicted a trade deal with China after positive
gestures by Beijing, calming global markets that have been
roiled by escalating tensions between the world's two largest
economies.