China reiterates its objection to India's role in South China Sea exploration

Beijing - 20 Sep 2011: India will be infringing on "China's sovereignty and national interest" if ONGC Videsh goes ahead with its plans to exploreoil and gas in the South China Sea, theChinese foreign ministryreiterated on Monday. The Indian company has worked out plans to explore the sea area along with Vietnamese oil companies.

The statement comes after the Indian government indicated it has taken into consideration the position of China andVietnam before allowing ONGC Videsh to enter into business contract with Vietnamese firms. China and Vietnam are locked in a dispute over ownership of islands in South China Sea, which has huge reserves of oil and gas. Even Japan,PhilippinesandIndonesiaare involved in disputes over sea island ownership with China.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said any move by countries outside the South China Sea region will "complicate and magnify the dispute" thatBeijinghas with the Vietnamese government. China's "indisputable sovereignty" over the concerned islands is based on full historical and jurisprudential evidence going back to the Han dynasty.

Any country wishing to explore for oil to closely study China's position and obtain its permission before venturing to do so, he said.

source: TOI