Addressing a press briefing in Moscow on June 19, Son thanked Russia for supporting Vietnam in settling the current territorial dispute in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
He said China has moved its floating drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 deep inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. It has also sent a large number of vessels and aircraft to protect the rig.
Vietnam has gone through diplomatic channels at different levels with the Chinese side, asking China to withdraw its oil rig from Vietnam’s waters. Yet, defying the goodwill, China has deployed more vessels and aircraft to the area where the rig is positioned.
Vietnamese law enforcement agencies have exercised restraint, using only civil boats to demand China’s withdrawal of its rig and ships. In contrast, China has dispatched more than 100 vessels, including warship, which intentionally intimidated and rammed Vietnamese boats, injuring sailors and damaging their property.
The diplomat said China’s actions seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereign right and jurisdiction, as well as international law, while threatening peace, stability, safety, security and freedom of navigation in the East Sea.
Son insisted that Vietnam has sufficient historical evidence and legal foundations to assert its undisputable sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.
He also briefed reporters on strong international support Vietnam has received in settling the dispute.
Vietnam has gone through diplomatic channels at different levels with the Chinese side, asking China to withdraw its oil rig from Vietnam’s waters. Yet, defying the goodwill, China has deployed more vessels and aircraft to the area where the rig is positioned.
Vietnamese law enforcement agencies have exercised restraint, using only civil boats to demand China’s withdrawal of its rig and ships. In contrast, China has dispatched more than 100 vessels, including warship, which intentionally intimidated and rammed Vietnamese boats, injuring sailors and damaging their property.
The diplomat said China’s actions seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereign right and jurisdiction, as well as international law, while threatening peace, stability, safety, security and freedom of navigation in the East Sea.
Son insisted that Vietnam has sufficient historical evidence and legal foundations to assert its undisputable sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.
He also briefed reporters on strong international support Vietnam has received in settling the dispute.
