Mexico gathering protests China’s illegal acts

MVCFI leaders, together with 100 members, 8 Mexican media agencies and some socio-political organisations raised national flags of Vietnam and Mexico and posters demanding China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty and international laws and withdraw the oil rig and escort vessels from Vietnam’s waters.

MVCFI Honourable President Virgilio Caballero delivered the institute’s open statement, condemning China’s illegal acts, including deploying a large fleet of armed vessels, military ships and aircraft to prevent and attack Vietnamese law enforcement forces. Notably, a Chinese ship hit a Vietnamese fishing boat with 10 fishermen on board, causing it to sink on May 26.

The statement said that these actions are a serious violation of the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues signed by the two countries in October 2011, run counter to the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and intentionally disregard the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The MVCFI called on Chinese leaders to respect signed agreements with Vietnam and international organisations, to resolve disputes by peaceful means.

It also asked China to withdraw the drilling oil rig and escort ships out of Vietnam’s waters, end all aggression to lessen tensions in the East Sea and promote mutual understanding between the two nations.

It asked the Mexican Government, especially Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Meade, to send a diplomatic note to the Chinese Government, highlighting basic principles and conventions and agreements on peace signed under the UN framework.

The statement urged the Mexican Senate to send a message to the Chinese and Vietnamese Governments, urging them to maintain peace in the region, and called on Mexican citizens to take part in a campaign for peace and sovereignty in Vietnam.

After the meeting, the MVCFI delivered the statement to the Chinese Embassy in Mexico.