The standoff between Chinese and Vietnamese vessels off the disputed Paracel islands in the South China Sea may escalate into actual conflict as People's Liberation Army Navy vessels patrolling the area have removed their gun covers, reports the Hong Kong-based Ta Kung Pao, citing an official from Vietnam's Directorate of Fisheries, on May 19.
After the Chinese government deployed an oil rig to the Paracels on May 4, a tense standoff began as more warships and maritime security vessels from both China and Vietnam gathered in the region. One of the Vietnamese patrol boats was rammed directly by a Chinese coast guard ship when it attempted to approach the rig, according to Vietnamese authorities.
The Chinese oil-drilling venture sparked anti-China protests in Vietnam on May 13. The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed Friday that at least two Chinese nationals have been killed and nearly 100 were injured during the violent protests that saw dozens of Chinese, Taiwanese and Hong Kong factories set on fire. The UK's Guardian claims as many as 21 people have died.
Read the full story at Want China Times