India's oil move in Vietnam serious provocation: Chinese daily

Beijing, Sept 16 (PTI) Chinese Foreign Ministry Friday
refused to join issue with India over its assertion to go
ahead with oil exploration cooperation with Vietnam in the
South China Sea despite Beijing's objections, but an
influential official daily said the move constituted "serious
political provocation" and should be "resolutely stopped".
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Jiang Yu declined
to react to Indian External Affairs Ministry's assertion
Thursday that India's cooperation with Hanoi for oil
exploration is in accordance with the international law and is
set to grow.
Following China's objections to ONGC's oil exploration
projects in two Vietnamese blocks in South China Sea, to which
Beijing lays claim, India had brushed off China's objections.
Asked her reaction, Jiang said she has already given an
elaborate response Thursday and declined to add further to
her comments that China has indisputable sovereignty over
South China Sea and its islands and Beijing is opposed to any
country engaged in oil and gas exploration there.
However, China appears to be seriously exercised over
this issue as the state-run Global Times, in a hard hitting
editorial, said Vietnam's efforts to rope in foreign companies
does not simply concern exploration but also a "serious
political provocation".
"Both Vietnam and the companies are clear about this but
fake innocence. But as opposition and pressure increases,
their venturous action is less likely to succeed," it said.
"As for ONGC (which has been given contract by Vietnam),
China should resolutely stop it from pursuing this course of
action. Reasoning many used first, but if India is persistent
in this, China should try every means possible to stop this
cooperation from happening," it said.
The editorial said India's ambition is growing along with
its rapid economic growth and some Indians even regard its
intervention in the South China Sea as being able to counter
China's presence in the Indian Ocean.
It said the joint exploration between India and Vietnam
may be seen as an Indian test of China's will as "India is
seeking influence akin to US in the region".
"China and relevant countries should digest the conflicts
within the South China Sea, but when other countries step in,
China should oppose them with all involved having to share the
blame and resulting losses," it said.
"Chinese society has already been indignant about India's
intervention in the Dalai (Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai
Lama) problem. India should bear in mind that its actions in
the South China Sea will push China to the limit. China
cherishes the Sino-Indian friendship, but this does not mean
China values it above all else," it said.
"Nevertheless, China also should remain calm and not take
rash actions. China's strategic environment is complicated,
which should held it to keep it mature. Whoever has a problem
with, this will find that China is determined but not
vengeful," it said.