Vietnam plans live-fire drill after China dispute

Vietnam has said it will hold live-fire exercises in the South China Sea amid escalating tensions with China over disputed waters, BBC reported.

Vietnam warned vessels to stay out of the area off its central coast when it conducts the drills on Monday.

It follows a verbal clash with China over sovereignty in the area.

China reacted angrily after Vietnam said a Chinese fishing boat rammed cables from an oil exploration vessel inside its exclusive economic zone.

Beijing said Chinese fishing boats were chased away by armed Vietnamese ships in the incident on Thursday.

One of the Chinese boats became tangled with the cables of a Vietnamese oil exploring vessel, which continued to drag the Chinese vessel for more than an hour before the net had to be cut, the foreign ministry said.

China accused Vietnam of "gravely violating" its sovereignty, saying Vietnam's actions had endangered Chinese sailors' lives, and warned it to stop "all invasive activities."