Vietnam warships visit PHL amid South
China Sea dispute
Vietnam on Tuesday showed off its two
most powerful warships in the first-ever port call to the Philippines but an
official said it was not trying to challenge China's superior naval forces amid
tension in the South China Sea.
Hanoi invited the diplomatic community
to its Russian-built missile-guided frigates docked in Manila Bay at the start
of a three-day goodwill visit.
China lays claim to almost all of the
entire South China Sea, believed to be rich minerals and oil-and-gas deposits.
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims,
creating one of Asia's biggest possible flashpoints.
"We are trying to hold joint
patrols and operations in the Spratlys, including search-and-rescue
operations," said a Philippine naval official, referring to a disputed
island chain. He declined to be identified because he was not authorized to
talk to the press.
"We are not trying to challenge
China's naval superiority in the disputed area. We have no intention to
heighten any tension. These are peaceful activities, like sharing of
experiences and best practices."
The two 100-meter-(330-ft-) long
Russian-built warships are equipped with stealth technology to display a
minimal profile on enemy radar screens. They have anti-ship missiles and
anti-submarine warfare helicopters.
Concern is growing about an escalation
in disputes in the South China Sea even as claimants work to establish a
binding code of conduct to resolve them.
"We hope all sides can do more to
increase mutual trust and safeguard regional peace and stability," China's
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily press briefing, when
asked about the visit.
China on Monday hit back at
"irresponsible remarks" by the United States, which has called on
Beijing to stop a land reclamation project on a reef.
"The first port call is a positive
and good sign of the improving and deepening relations between the Philippine
Navy and Vietnam People's Navy," said Philippine Lieutenant Commander
Marineth Domingo.
In March, the two navies held
staff-to-staff talks to step up exchanges in intelligence and information,
naval technology and training.
Three months later, Vietnamese and
Philippine troops got together on a disputed island to play soccer and
volleyball and drink beer in a get-together Philippine officials said proved
there could be harmony despite a web of overlapping claims.
China dismissed the meetings as a
"clumsy farce." — Reuters
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