China's Foreign Ministry accused Vietnam of ramming its vessels more than 1,400 times as tensions continue to rise over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, dpa reported. Shortly after China deployed an oil rig in waters near the Paracel islands, Vietnam sent "a large number of vessels, including armed vessels" that rammed Chinese boats, a statement said. The ministry said there were as many as 63 Vietnamese vessels in the area as of Saturday. Both countries have accused the other of aggressive tactics since the installation of the oil rig about 120 miles from Vietnam's coast on May 2. Hanoi said last week that Chinese boats had damaged 24 Vietnamese vessels and injured 12 crewmen.
