HANOI/BEIJING, June 6 (Reuters) - A Chinese research ship and its escort, which operated for nearly a month in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, left those waters on Monday night, vessel-tracking experts said, just after high-level U.S.-China talks.
"The Chinese scientific research vessel carrying out normal research activities in maritime waters under China's jurisdiction is legitimate and proper.
At 0300 GMT on Tuesday the Chinese research ship was seen approaching Hainan, said Ray Powell, who leads Stanford University's Project Myoushu on the South China Sea.
Vietnam's fisheries surveillance ships turned back after the Chinese vessel and its escort left Vietnam's EEZ around midnight Vietnam time, Powell added.
Vietnam's foreign ministry did not reply to requests for comment.
Persons:
Xiang Yang Hong, Dmitry Medvedev, Ray Powell, Powell, Van Pham, Francesco Guarascio, Laurie Chen, Khanh Vu, Gerry Doyle
Organizations:
Stanford, China, Chronicle Initiative, Thomson
Locations:
HANOI, BEIJING, South China, China, Vietnam's, Beijing, Hainan, Hanoi, Vietnam