Vietnam has condemned several incidents of attacks upon it's research and fishing vessels, by Chinese craft, inside of Vietnam's waters. To prevent further incidents Vietnam is creating a civilian led patrol, that will be backed by police and the military, to stop foreign vessels from entering Vietnam's waters, without permission.
China responded by authorizing their police to board and seize foreign ships, throughout the South China Sea. This is sure to lead to confrontations, not just with Vietnam, but with many other countries in the region.
During 2012, China pressed claims to islands belonging to several other nations, and not just in the South China Sea, but the East China Sea as well. In the East China Sea, China, Japan, and Taiwan have clashed over islands, which all three countries claim.
Having been at least halted there, China seems to be back to focusing on the South China Sea. China is trying to claim islands belonging to the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. Some of the islands are claimed by all of the countries, causing even greater problems.
The Philippines and China have already had some clashes, in one case the US Navy almost became involved. In April, Vietnamese fishermen were kidnapped by China, and then later released. And in July, China placed a new city and military base, upon one of the disputed islands.
As China presses it's claims, countries not in the South China Sea are becoming involved. India, Australia, and the US all have economic ties to the region. They've shown their support of the allies there, but none so much as India, who like China is a growing power in the area. India says that it is not just ready to protect it's interests there, but is actively preparing to do so.
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