US State Department Concerned by Reports of Chinese Interference in South China Sea

A Chinese coast guard ship (back) sailing next to a Vietnamese coast guard vessel (front), near China's oil drilling rig in disputed waters in the South China Sea, on May 14, 2014. Another dispute between the two countries have recently occurred near an oil block in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone. HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images

WASHINGTON—The U.S. State Department said on July 20 that it’s concerned about reports of China’s interference with oil and gas activities in the South China Sea, including Vietnam’s long-standing exploration and production activities.

“China’s repeated provocative actions aimed at the offshore oil and gas development of other claimant states threatens regional energy security and undermines the free and open Indo-Pacific energy market,” the State Department said in a statement.