Seminar, film screening on East Sea issue in Paris

Produced and broadcast by the France’s Arte TV, the film highlights the political context and status quo of sovereignty disputes in the East Sea, China’s ambition with its nine-dash claim, challenges to the region, and experts’ opinions. 

French-Vietnamese journalist specialised in Asian affairs Vo Trung Dung coordinated the discussion session with director Petitjean as the keynote speaker. Participants looked into disputes in the East Sea, including legal consequences of China’s illegal construction, the impacts and validity of the July 12 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, regulations on islands in the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes, and powerful countries’ role in the settlement of disputes. 

A majority of opinions shared the view that the disputes impact on not only regional countries but also many other nations, particularly marine-reliant powers.  

The event was expected to help the public in France and the world get a deeper understanding of the situation in the East Sea.