China has completed a drilling operation in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, state-owned Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday. Quoting China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) and China Oilfield Services Ltd., Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the Chinese companies began the drilling operation off one of the Xisha (Paracel) Islands, in May, and work was completed on July 15 as scheduled. CNPC has been exploring the area since 2004. "The companies will analyze and assess the geological data collected and decide on the next step," Hong was quoted as saying. The spokesman also noted the Xisha (Paracel) Islands are inherent territory of China and that the operation was conducted in indisputable inshore waters off Xisha (Paracel), which completely falls within China's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.
"China strongly opposes Vietnam's irrational disruptions and has taken necessary security measures to ensure the operation," Hong added.
China's oil rig deployment off the disputed islands has sparked clashes between Chinese and Vietnamese boats in the South China Sea and anti-China protests in Vietnam, as both countries claim the islands and surrounding waters.
Anti-China riots in May in central and southern Vietnamese cities left at least two Chinese dead and more than 100 injured, and prompted China to evacuate thousands of its citizens from the country.