Vietnamese people take part in an anti-China protest in Hanoi to mark the 43th anniversary of China's occupation of the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, on Jan 19, 2017. (Reuters photo)HANOI - Vietnam demanded on Monday that China stop sending cruise ships to the South China Sea in a response to one of Beijing's latest steps to bolster its claims in the strategic waterway. China claims 90% of the potentially energy-rich South China Sea. Countries competing to cement their rival claims have encouraged a growing civilian presence on disputed islands in the South China Sea. The first cruises from China to the Paracel islands were launched by Hainan Strait Shipping Co in 2013.

Source: Bangkok Post March 13, 2017 04:52 UTC