Vietnam is Becoming Increasingly Anxious Over Worsening Tensions in the South China Sea

Vietanmese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Phạm Thu Hằng expressed concern over the deteriorating situation between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Image via the Vietnam News Agency.

The Vietnamese government has intentionally tried to stay out of the fray in the escalating confrontation between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, but stepped back into it on Saturday when Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Phạm Thu Hằng expressed Hanoi’s “deep concern” over the situation.

Hằng specifically referenced last week’s violent confrontation between the two sides near the Second Thomas Shoal, where Chinese Coast Guard vessels used high-powered water canons to blast a Filipino supply vessel and injured four crew members.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Eric Olander

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
3
China, U.S. Ink Rare Earth Deal; More Trade Pacts Coming
4
Chinese-Moroccan Joint Venture Inaugurates EV Battery Parts Plant
5
Rubio to Welcome Asian ‘Quad’ Back to Washington
6
Six Million Donkeys Slaughtered for Chinese Medicine: Charity

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP