China seriously violates international law
(VOV) - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has stressed China’s recent installation of its giant drilling rig deep within an ASEAN state’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf is a serious violation of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Addressing ASEAN leaders at their annual summit in Myanmar on May 11, Dung noted by deploying its oil rig within Vietnam’s territorial waters, China also seriously violates the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) to which China was a signatory.
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He briefed the ASEAN leaders on the recent tensions in the East Sea, saying China had deployed more than 80 vessels, including military ships, and aircraft to escort the drilling rig.
The Chinese vessels, with support of aircraft, used water cannons to fire at civilian Vietnamese ships on duty, injuring a number of sailors and damaging their property.
These extremely dangerous actions are a direct threat to peace, stability, security and maritime safety in the East Sea, the PM said.
Vietnam exercised self-restraint and got in contact with China through different channels to protest against and demand China immediately withdraw its drilling rig and armed vessels from Vietnam’s territorial waters.
Defying Vietnam’s goodwill, China even accused Vietnam of carrying out vessel collisions and continued with more serious and dangerous violations.
PM Dung confirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to and does its utmost to maintain and strengthen the time-honoured relationship with China.
Vietnam wants to work closely together with China to settle disputes peacefully based on international law, equality and mutual respect, in the interest of the two peoples, and for peace and stability in the region and the world at large.
However, Vietnam vehemently opposes violations and is determined to protect national sovereignty and legitimate interests in accordance with international law.
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PM Nguyen Tan Dung called upon ASEAN countries, other global countries, individuals and international organisations to continue expressing opposition to China’s serious violations, and support Vietnam’s legitimate request.
He asked ASEAN to strengthen solidarity and reiterate its Six-Point Principles on the East Sea, while urging China to fully and strictly observe international law, the 1982 UNCLOS and DOC, and holding substantive consultations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.
The PM also proposed ASEAN include the aforementioned issue in the summit’s joint statement and the Chairman’s statement.
He welcomed the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ May 10 statement on the situation in the East Sea, demonstrating ASEAN’s solidarity and its active and responsible role in addressing challenges to peace, stability and development in the region.
Leaders of other ASEAN countries expressed their deep concern about recent tensions in the East Sea, which they said are threatening regional peace, stability, security and maritime safety.
They asked parties concerned to absolutely conform to regulations of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, and settle disputes peacefully without resorting to threat or use of force.
They also underlined the need to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and reach an agreement on the Code of Conduct as soon as possible.