Beijing objects to US decision to lift arms ban against Vietnam

The US decision to lift its ban on arms sales to Vietnam will cause serious trouble to China's national security, the Xinhua-published Reference News reported on Oct. 5.

John Kerry, the US secretary of state, informed Vietnamese deputy prime minister Pham Binh Minh on Oct. 2 that Washington has decided to partially lift its ban on sale of arms to Hanoi.

State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said Washington will now allow the sale of lethal maritime security capabilities and for surveillance on a case-by-case basis to Hanoi. This includes both boats and air assets to increase the capability of the Vietnamese coast guard, navy and air force in the South China Sea.'

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