Defend the sovereignty

It is incumbent on Southeast Asian countries to be stronger and more self-confident in the face of a rising China.

The association calls on the international press community, including the Chinese press, to understand the situation in a clear and right way and condemn the dangerous provocative actions which infringe international law

Dr Subhash Kapila from India affirmed that the current flashpoint in the East Viet Nam Sea owes its origin to China’s two major acts of aggression against Viet Nam in the last quarter of the 20th Century, namely the capture of the Paracel islands in 1974 and the Spratly islands partially in 1988.

Despite Vietnam’s protest, China expanded its scale of operation and moved the rig to 15 degrees 33 minutes 36 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 34 minutes 11 seconds east longitude, 60 nautical miles deep inside Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.

Meeting with Canadian senator Andreychuk last week, Vietnamese ambassador to Canada To Anh Dung briefed her on the situation of Chinese operation of its oil rig Hiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

Portuguese officials voiced their support for Vietnam’s struggle for justice and peaceful settlement of East Sea disputes.

Many people once expected that China’s development would bring back positive effects on the region but disappointment, doubt, and worry have gradually emerged.

Up to now, China fails to respond to Vietnam`s legitmate demand, continues threatening and injuring many Vietnamese sailors and fishermen.

Viet Nam rejects China’s new vertical map that includes a cow tongue line covering nearly the entire East Viet Nam Sea, said Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Le Hai Binh at a press conference on June 26.

They affirmed that the traditional fishing grounds on Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago have belonged to Vietnam for hundreds of years.

In recent days, many major French newspapers have run more articles protesting against China’s unjustified hegemony and its illegal placement of the oil rig Haiyang Shiyoug-981 in the East Sea.

The Chinese vessels, including patrol, coast guard, cargo ships and tugboats, simultaneously harassed Vietnamese ships by basting sirens, chasing and driving them away, while staying ready to ram them at any time, said the department.

The Vietnam Lawyers’ Association has announced it will support the government in drawing up necessary legal documents to file a petition against China’s provocations in the East Sea.

The Viet Nam National Assembly has issued a communiqué, clarifying Viet Nam’s just stance and rebuking China’s provocations in the East Sea.

The Laos Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about the escalated tension in the East Sea and asked parties concerned to exercise restraint and avoid further actions that may complicate the situation in the region.

Meeting President of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee of the Norwegian Parliament Anniken Huitfeldt on June 20, Ambassador Mai noted that on May 2, China stationed its rig Haiyang Shiyou-981, escorted by a large fleet of coast guard vessels, battleships and military airplane, deep inside Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.

The New York Times cited Holly Morrow of Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs who notes that China will exploit oil in its waters and others in the neighbouring countries to mislead the public that its operation is normal.

The Chinese side continued harassing Vietnamese law enforcement authorities operating in Viet Nam’s waters, according to the Viet Nam Fisheries Surveillance Department.

A large number of Chinese coast guard and patrol ships and tugboats defending the rig kept on following and blocking Vietnamese ships, driving them away.

The legal ramifications and motivation for China’s illegal placement of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in the East Sea was the topic that captured major attention of international and Vietnamese scholars.