International friends criticize China’s East Sea violation
(VOV) -Hundreds of international friends and overseas Vietnamese gathered at Place des Nations Square in front of Geneva-based UN headquarters on May 21, showing their solidarity for Vietnam and opposition against China’s provocative actions in the East Sea.
They expressed their indignation at China’s illegal placement of its drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou – 981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
The International Peace Bureau (IPB) in Geneva voiced its support for Vietnam’s peaceful solution to protect its national sovereignty.
IPB Secretary General Colin Archer said the international community is strongly in favour of justice and peace to build a world free of war, and that all territorial disputes should be settled in line with international law.
Swiss lawyer Piere Schifferli stated that China’s move seriously violates the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and runs counter to the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
Demonstrators, including those from Switzerland, Italy, France and African countries, asked China to pay respect to international law and remove its oil rig from Vietnam’s waters.
*** Earlier on May 18, Vietnamese nationals in Romania protested against China’s escalating actions in the East Sea.
They backed the consistent policies of the Vietnamese Party and State in protecting sovereign right.
In New Zealand, Vietnamese students also held a march to show their loyalty to the homeland and oppose China’s illegal oil rig placement.