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Like many countries in the region, Vietnam has clashed with China over certain areas which Beijing considers within its nine-dash line policy. The nine-dash line policy is the demarcation line marked out by Beijing and includes hotly contested island groups such as the Spratly and Paracels. Recently, Vietnam confirmed that a Chinese survey vessel had re-entered its territorial waters, thus inflaming tensions once again.

Following the return of the Chinese vessel, Vietnam has pleaded with China to leave the Vanguard bank.

In a statement, Le Thi Thu Hang, a spokeswoman for the country foreign ministry said on Friday: “Vietnam has made contact with China to protest its repeated violations and demanded that China withdraw the vessel group from Vietnamese waters.”

Adding to the tense relations, on Friday a Chinese fishing ban that had been in place since May, was lifted.

As a result of that, fleets of fishing vessels from China are expected to enter areas that neighbouring countries may consider as there own.

READ MORE: South China Sea: Beijing on collision course with US