27/03/2013
The US on March 26th expressed concern over reports of an incident between a Chinese vessel and a Vietnamese fishing boat which caught fire, saying it strongly opposes use of force or coercion in the South China Sea.
"As a Pacific nation, the US has a national interest in the maintenance of peace and stability, respect for international law, freedom of navigation and unimpeded lawful commerce in the South China Sea," State Department spokesperson Patrick Ventrell told reporters.
"The United States is concerned by reports of an incident between a Chinese vessel and a Vietnamese fishing boat that resulted in the Vietnamese boat catching fire," Ventrell said in response to a question.
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