Image Source: Deccan Herald

Agencies:

HANOI: As tension flare up in the South China sea, which has been boiling for some time now, the prime contestants seem to be Vietnam and China.

Both countries have been locked again in a stand-off, contesting each other claim's of maritime rights and seabed exploration endeavours.
China has taken a series of provocative actions in the water since the start of this year as the world is busy battling with the COVID-19 pandemic caused by Coronavirus that originated in Vuhan city of China.

The renewed tensions repeat a familiar pattern the world has witnessed repeatedly regarding Chinese conduct in the South China Sea disputes.
It enhances the fragility of the situation between the claimant states in this strategic expanse of sea waters.

China's actions triggered a huge backlash in Vietnam and sent a diplomatic note to protest the illegal exercises, urging non-repetition of the incident. Foreign Ministry said the exercises violated Vietnam's sovereignty, complicating negotiations for a Code of Conduct of Parties (COC) in the SCS between China and ASEAN and affecting peace in the region.