World protests China’s violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty

Friday, May 9, 2014 | 16:22:56

(VOVworld) – US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega strongly protested China’s violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty this week and called for the US government to respond more strongly.

In a Thursday press release, Faleomavaega, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, said China’s drilling rig HD-981 is “anchored within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf of Vietnam, about 120 nautical miles from Ly Son island”. China’s territorial claims in the East Sea have no basis in international law, he said, adding that “China’s provocative actions are an escalation of its intent to threaten peace and maritime security in the East Sea”.

World protests China’s violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty - ảnh 1

China places its oil rig HD-918 within Vietnam's waters. (Photo: anninhthudo.vn)

The same day, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel told reporters during his Vietnam visit that the US opposes actions that disrupt the status quo and jeopardize peace and security as well as the threat or use of force by China.

According to the National Coordinator of the Mexican Labour Party (PT) Alberto Anaya Gutierrez, historical truth lies on the side of Vietnam and international law backs Vietnam. He told National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan that the issues must be discussed multilaterally within international organizations.

Vietnamese scholars and researchers also voiced their deep opposition to China’s violations of Vietnam’s waters regardless of international law. Tran Cong Truc, former head of the Government Border Committee, took the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a reference for China’s placement of its oil rig totally within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf of Vietnam. All documents prove that these waters do not overlap any disputed area.

A number of Asian countries raised their concerns over China’s latest move. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said China has escalated regional tensions. A Singapore Foreign Ministry spokesperson called on all parties to abide by the Declaration on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (DOC) and resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.