Tensions flared in the South China Sea today as armed Philippine police arrested Chinese fishermen near a disputed shoal and Vietnam said Chinese boats rammed into Vietnamese vessels during a confrontation in waters close to islands claimed by the two countries.

The Chinese fishing boat and its crew were detained by the Philippines near the Spratly Islands, known as the Nansha Islands in Chinese, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, demanding the release of the fishermen. Vietnam separately said Chinese vessels intentionally collided with its boats near an exploration rig placed by China close to the Paracel Islands.

The incidents come as China takes a more assertive stance on maritime territorial issues that are souring relations with neighbors from Vietnam to Japan. U.S. President Barack Obama last month visited Asia to reassure key allies of U.S. support in the face of Chinas rising economic and military power, while Asian countries have been pushing China to agree to a code of conduct to avoid conflicts in the South China Sea.

It shows the regional concern that China has yet to agree or commit to a timetable with respect to the code of conduct -- frustration that China hasnt done that, said Terence Lee, an assistant professor of political science at National University of Singapore, referring to the Philippine and Vietnamese actions. Finding some way forward concretely without the use of force is imperative for the countries in the region.

At a briefing in Beijing, Hua accused the Philippines and Vietnam of violating its sovereignty over the island chains. She accused Vietnam of being disruptive.

China has 80 vessels in the area, including seven military craft, some of which fired water at Vietnamese ships backed by low-flying Chinese aircraft, Ngo Ngoc Thu, Vice Commander of Vietnams Coast Guard, said at a briefing. Six Vietnamese officers were hurt by broken glass during the clash, he said.

The situation is extremely tense, Thu said. While Vietnam seeks to resolve the dispute through negotiations, all endurance has limits. If China vessels continue to hit ours, we will have similar moves to respond in self-defense.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is seeking the code for the oil-and gas-rich waters in the South China Sea, through which some of the worlds busiest shipping lanes run. The talks have made little progress since China agreed last July to start discussions, before introducing fishing rules in January requiring foreign vessels to seek permission before entering waters off its southern coast.

China has said it is prepared to hold bilateral talks over territorial issues. It has rejected a Philippine move for international arbitration on their claims to parts of the South China Sea.

Philippine police confirmed they detained a Chinese vessel carrying 11 crew. The fishermen were on board the boat Qiongqionghai 09063, the official Xinhua News Agency said, citing the Tanmen fishing association in the Hainan island city of Qionghai. Another fishing boat fled the scene, it said.

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China Loses Contact With 11 Fishermen Off Disputed Islands