The Philippines expressed solidarity with Vietnam after Hanoi protested what it said was the ramming and sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat by a Chinese coast guard ship in the disputed South China Sea. China claims virtually the entire South China Sea and has built several islands equipped with military installations in the area, one of world's busiest shipping lanes. China's smaller neighbors, particularly Vietnam and the Philippines, have been the most vocal opponents of Beijing's territorial assertiveness. China responded to Vietnam's diplomatic protest and demands for an investigation with its own statement accusing the Vietnamese boat of illegally entering Chinese waters. China seized the islands from Vietnam in 1974 and frequent confrontations have occurred there.-AP

Source: The Standard April 08, 2020 11:03 UTC