US accused of bias as tensions rise

The United States is intentionally adopting a biased position regarding tensions between China and Vietnam, an observer said on Friday.

The comment came after US Vice-President Joe Biden told visiting People's Liberation Army Chief of General Staff Fang Fenghui on Thursday the US was seriously concerned about what he described as China's "unilateral" actions in positioning an oil rig in the South China Sea.

An unnamed senior US official told Reuters that Biden and other top US officials told Fang that Beijing's maritime behavior was dangerous and provocative and must stop.