Timing of suing China under scrutiny

In his statement at a Foreign Ministry press briefing in Hanoi on June 26, Binh said the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 escorted by a large number of ships and aircraft  are still operating in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

China has escalated tension by deploying the Nan Hai No 9 drilling platform and an exploration vessel in the mouth of Bac Bo Gulf, where the demarcation has not been completed.  He also denounced China’s recent publication of two maps with nine dotted line shape covering all the East Sea.

 “The portrait shaped maps with the “nine-dash” line claim of all the East Sea was a flagrant violation of international law. This demand has been repeatedly rejected by the world community.” the Vietnamese diplomat said.

Binh said that according to international law, no party is entitled to conduct exploration and exploitation activities in the area that is yet to be delineated. This action that took place following the recent visit to Vietnam by Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi has raised the international community and Vietnam’s concern.

Vietnam vehemently opposes this wrongful act by China and demands it immediately stop similar actions in the future while complying with international law.

However, earlier on June 23,  Vietnam's fisheries surveillance vessels were circled and rammed by Chinese ships in Vietnam’s EEZ, approximately 11.5 nautical miles from the drilling rig 981, causing great damage, Binh added.