1.1 Vietnam's live-fire drills in the South China Sea on 13 June escalated tensions with China over a territorial dispute 1.2 China deployed Its largest maritime reconnaissance ship to the area as Taiwan planned to send fast attack craft to the Spratly Islands Vietnam held live-fire exercises in the South China Sea on 13 June as tensions rose in the area following a series of confrontations between Vietnamese and Chinese ships. The naval drill was held off the island of Hong Ong, about 40 km from Quang Nam province. According to an unidentified naval officer, the drill was a "routine annual training exercise" involving artillery and other weapons but no missiles. Separately, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung issued a decree detailing those exempted from conscription in the event of war, including senior party and government officials and workers in key industries. The announcement appeared to be an indication to China that Vietnam will not soften its stance on the territorial issue.
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