(VOVworld) – As reported, on May 1st China brought drilling rig HD-981 to oil and gas field 143 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone on its continental shelf.
The move seriously violates Vietnam’s national sovereignty and jurisdiction, the 1982 UN Convention on the law of the sea, and bilateral agreements between Vietnam and China. Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday held an international press conference to inform the public of China’s wrong doings.
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Ngo Ngoc Thu, Vice Commander of Vietnam’s Marine Police said China had deployed approximately 80 ships to the area around the drilling rig including 7 military ships, 33 marine patrol boats and surveillance ships and numerous other vessels including fishing boats. In addition, several Chinese airplanes have flown over the area to intimidate Vietnamese forces on duty. In particular, Chinese military ships have appeared 50 nautical miles off Vietnam’s Ly Son island: “When Vietnamese law-enforcement ships went to check and stop the illegal operation of drilling rig HD-981, Chinese ships backed by airplanes aggressively rammed and sprayed high pressure water cannons damaging Vietnamese vessels and injuring crew members. Chinese vessels are armed and ready to use their artillery anytime, making the situation very tense.”
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Facing that situation, Vietnam’s law enforcement forces have been promptly on the scene to prevent the intrusion of China’s rig and ships into Vietnam’s territorial waters. During this process, Vietnam has been patient and restrained on the face of provocative acts by Chinese ships. Vietnam has patiently continued peaceful counter measures. Tran Duy Hai is Deputy Chairman of Vietnam National Border Committee: “Following notice that China’s HD-981 drilling rig had entered Vietnam’s continental shelf, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs put in place counter measures. We have conducted 8 contacts at different levels. In all working sessions, Vietnam affirmed that China had seriously violated international law and agreements signed between the two countries’ senior leaders. Vietnam resolutely denounces China’s acts. The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chinese charge de affairs to present a diplomatic note of objection demanding China withdraw the drill rig out of Vietnam’s sea.
Mr. Hai said that as the situation has worsened, Vietnam had sent a notice to ASEAN countries and other countries with interests in the East Sea. These countries have expressed their concerns about China’s actions. China’s deployment of warships in Vietnam’s territorial waters and provocative installation of a drilling rig for oil exploration on Vietnam’s continental shelf has increased tension in the area, and threatened maritime security and safety.
Responding to reporters’ questions about Vietnam’s future actions, the spokesperson for the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Le Hai Binh said by now, although China had increased tension in the East Sea, Vietnam maintained diplomatic counter measures on the basis of peaceful dialogue. However, Vietnam would take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty over the seas and island and defend itself if necessary.
The press conference attracted the attention of hundred of reporters inside and outside the country. In the near future, Mr. Binh said that depending on the situation, Vietnam would more widely contact diplomatic representative agencies overseas to help the international community better understand the incident.