HANOI, Vietnam, June 10 (UPI) -- Vietnamese military officials say they will conduct live-fire exercises in the South China Sea despite tensions with China over disputed waters.
Vietnam warned boats to stay clear of the area off the coast of central Quang Nam province Monday, when the drills are scheduled, the BBC reported.
China and Vietnam have been involved in a war of words over sovereignty in the area, the British broadcaster reported Friday.
Vietnam charged that a Chinese fishing boat had "intentionally rammed" the exploration cables of a Vietnamese boat Thursday -- the second time in two weeks.
Vietnam said the "premeditated and carefully calculated" attack was an attempt by China to control disputed waters, the BBC said.
China accused Vietnam of "gravely violating" its sovereignty, saying Vietnam's actions endangered Chinese sailors' lives, and warned it to stop "all invasive activities."
