U.S. to China: Stop ‘bullying behaviour’ in South China Sea

The United States (U.S.) has called on China to stop “bullying behaviour” in the South China Sea, saying it is concerned by reports of China’s “provocative actions” aimed at offshore oil and gas developments in the disputed waters.
Three regional security sources said on Friday that a Chinese government survey ship was tagging an exploration vessel operated by Malaysia’s state oil company Petronas in those waters.
Earlier in the week, when the survey ship, the Haiyang Dizhi 8 was off Vietnam, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman had said the ship was conducting normal activities and accused U.S. officials of smearing Beijing.
“The U.S. is concerned by reports of China’s repeated provocative actions aimed at the offshore oil and gas development of other claimant states.
“In this instance, China should cease its bullying behaviour and refrain from engaging in this type of provocative and destabilising activity,” the U.S. State Department said on Saturday.