WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department
said on Saturday it is concerned by reports of China's
interference with oil and gas activities in the South China Sea,
including Vietnam's long-standing exploration and production
activities.
"China's repeated provocative actions aimed at the offshore
oil and gas development of other claimant states threatens
regional energy security and undermines the free and open
Indo-Pacific energy market," the State Department said in a
statement.
Vietnam on Friday accused a Chinese oil survey vessel and
its escorts of violating its sovereignty and demanded that China
remove the ships from Vietnamese waters.