China oil rig move 'provocative,' US says Published: 7 May 2014 , Bangkok Post

China oil rig move 'provocative,' US says

• Published: 7 May 2014 at 05.49 | Viewed: 284 | Comments: 0
• Online news: Asia
• Writer: AFP

The United States on Tuesday warned China that a decision to move a deep-sea oil rig into disputed waters in the South China Sea was a "provocative" step which it was monitoring closely. 

China Coast Guard ships (L and R) and a Philippine supply boat (C) engage in a stand off as the Philippine boat attempts to reach the Second Thomas Shoal, a remote South China Sea a reef claimed by both countries, on March 29, 2014

"We're looking carefully into this matter," State Department deputy spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.

"Given the recent history of tensions in the South China Sea, China's decision to operate its oil rig in disputed waters is provocative and unhelpful to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region."

Vietnam has labeled China's decision "illegal" and demanded the rig be withdrawn.

The China Maritime Safety Administration issued a unilateral navigational warning on its website saying the rig would be drilling in the South China Sea close to the Paracel Islands -- which are controlled by China but claimed by Vietnam.

Psaki said the renewed regional tensions highlighted the "need for claimants to clarify their claims in accordance wit