Defend the sovereignty

The EU High Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, expressed her special concern over China’s recently acts in the East Sea, saying these acts would affect the security environment in the region.

The escalating tension in the East Sea, a key navigation route as well as a site believed to habour vast deposits of oil, did and will have considerable implications for regional security, foreign scholars said at a round-table workshop in Singapore.

The Central Committee of Vietnam Students’ Association (VSA) has expressed strong objection to China’s illegal installation of the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig in Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.

Vietnamese ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Cuong has stressed that Vietnam wants to maintain long-held friendly relations with China, but it does not accept any acts of coercion or threat.

US President Barack Obama expressed concern about increased tensions in the East Sea and said the US supports ASEAN in formulating a code of conduct (COC) with China to settle maritime disputes in the sea.

On May 7, Viet Nam`s fishing boat QNg 96416-TS, carrying 16 fishermen on board from central Quang Ngai province, was attacked by Chinese ships when it was operating in its regular fishing grounds in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, suffering damage to its sides and cabin.

Hoa Intellectuals, traders, enterprises and students in the city have expressed hope that China will swiftly withdraw its rig from Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as well as restrain itself to avoid causing conflicts between the two countries,

The new site of China’s oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981, after it was moved to on the morning of May 27, is still completely within Vietnam’s continental shelf and the rig’s operation at this site violates Vietnam’s sovereign right and jurisdiction.

"Once again, Vietnam requests China to stop its inhumane acts causing damage to life, property and legitimate interests of Vietnamese fishermen, respect international law and provide proper compensation for Vietnamese fishermen.”

Vice President of the Vietnam Bar Federation Truong Trong Nghia has suggested Vietnam should not take up its legal struggle against China alone; instead it needs to take advantage of international support to ensure justice is on its side, according to radio The Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

There is growing concern about increased tension in the East Sea after China illegally placed its drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone in the sea.

Chinese ship coded 11209 sank a Vietnamese fishing boat with 10 members on board in Vietnamese waters on May 26.

Vietnamese American scholars have proclaimed that China`s actions are a serious and unremitting violation of international law.

China’s placement of the drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in the East Viet Nam Sea violates the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the oil rig is located well within Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

Japan is concerned about tensions generated by China’s unilateral illegal placement of its Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig in Vietnamese waters and supports Viet Nam’s proper stance.

Representatives from many foreign nations and organizations have stated publicly that Vietnam has displayed the proper attitude accentuated by a consistent respect for international law.

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh asked for China’s serious consideration and positive response to Viet Nam’s demands after China illegally placed Haiyang Shiyou – 981 drilling rig and deployed as many as 99 vessels in Viet Nam’s waters, during his phone call to Chinese FM Wang Yi on Thursday.

HCM City’s External Relations Department on May 12 called in a representative of the Chinese Consulate General to protest against China’s unilateral deployment of its drilling rig Ocean-981 and escort vessels in Vietnam’s territorial waters.

Viet Nam yesterday reaffirmed that it would take all necessary measures, preferably diplomatic, to protect its waters. This follows increased attacks on Vietnamese vessels near a Chinese oil rig on Viet Nam`s continental shelf

The Foundation for East Sea Studies (FESS) made its official debut in Hanoi on March 27.