(VOVworld)- China’s illegal placement of oil rig HD 981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf has been strongly condemned by Vietnamese and the world public. The international public said China’s actions blatantly violated international law, eroded trust, and created a dangerous precedent in international relations.
Disrespect for another country’s sovereignty
The Lowy Institute of International Policy in Australia asked whether tension in the East Sea was due to China’s attempts to dominate the region.
General Daniel Schaeffer, former Military Attache in China, Vietnam and Thailand and now a China expert at France’s 21st Asia Research Center |
Chinese leaders have taken several steps to realize the ambition represented by the nine-dash line in the East Sea. These steps by China were easily recognized by the world’s military experts, and legal scholars. General Daniel Schaeffer, former Military Attache in China, Vietnam and Thailand and now a China expert at France’s 21st Asia Research Center said: “It is easy to see that China has used its power and taken quiet actions to force other countries to recognize the 80% of the East Sea within the nine-dash line as China’s territorial waters. This is China’s primary objective. Why? Because China wants to monopolize the area’s natural resources. But revenues from natural resources are a cover for China’s attempts to create a safe corridor for its ships to go to its military base on Hainan Island and to deep-water areas in the East Sea and the strait between the Philippines and Taiwan”.
Anton Svetov, an expert of Russia’s External Relations Council, said provocative acts by China against neighboring countries have been reported in the past, but this time, they have gone further and are more dangerous. China’s deployment of a flotilla of ships to escort the oil rig is evidence that China is aware of the calculated escalation.
Undermining friendship and cooperation
To realize its ambitions, Beijing has flouted international law and signed agreements and used all means from threats to using force against neighboring countries who have benefits or sovereignty in the East Sea. The public is very angry at China’s dangerous actions.
In 2011, Vietnam and China signed an Agreement on Basic Principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues. Under the agreement, the two countries agreed to resolve disputes in the East Sea through peaceful means, negotiations and friendly consultations. China’s illegal placement of an oil rig in Vietnam’s territorial waters has damaged its relationship with Vietnam, breached its trust with ASEAN countries, violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea which China and ASEAN signed in 2002. Gregory Poling is an expert at the US Center for Strategic and International Studies : "Every time they take a step like this, it severed the good will it built up in Southeast Asia. It drives close neighbors farther and farther away and makes itself a spoiler of the international system. It is completely debating this notion of itself as they are responsible rising power in the world system. And that has all kins of effect. It means other nations are less likely to believe Chinese commitments "
A dangerous precedent in international relations
The world public said that by doing so, Beijing crossed an important line and eroded trust in a country that claims to be a world power which always works to develop good neighbor relations. China’s latest actions, however, creates a very dangerous precedent in international relations- that a country can use its power to bully neighbouring countries while ignoring international law. Unless this action is condemned and opposed, China is likely to step up its provocative acts and return the world to a chaos of military power and war. The world is awaiting China’s response. It is clear that China’s actions run counter to the global trend of cooperation, mutual respect and mutual trust to ensure peace and harmonize national interests.