Vietnam strongly opposes China's illegal act, tries to solve disagreement

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Le Hai Binh made this statement when answering questions from reporters about Vietnam's measures to oppose China's placement of Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig in Vietnamese waters, at a press conference in Hanoi on May 15.

After informing the press about several external affairs events of Vietnam, the spokesperson updated information related to the incident and answered numerous questions from local and international reporters.

Vietnam has persevered and was resolved to protect its national sovereignty and resolutely demand China withdraw the oil rig and escorting vessels and aircrafts from Vietnamese waters, while exercising the utmost restraint under the motto of opposing the use of force or threat of force, the spokesman said.

The spokesperson briefed the press about developments related to China's illegal oil rig placement in Vietnamese waters as follows:

"Since May 1, China has blatantly brought the oil rig, many armed escort vessels and military aircraft to Vietnamese waters, then positioned the oil rig within Vietnam's continental shelf and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) prescribed by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"Vietnam has persisted with serious dialogues and communication with China at different levels and in various forms, to strongly protest against China's wrongdoings. Responding to Vietnam's communication and goodwill, China has maintained and expanded its wrongdoings by assigning more ships and aircraft to the area.

"According to relevant Vietnamese agencies, China has so far maintained the presence of military, coast guard, maritime services and steel-hulled fishing vessels and the support of many aircraft around the oil rig.

"While Vietnamese civil and public service ships exercise the utmost restraint, China continues flagrant acts by assigning vessels and aircraft to intimidate Vietnamese law enforcement forces, and firing high-powered water cannon onto Vietnamese ships which are implementing their duties of sovereignty protection, causing damage to the ships and injuring many people.

"Continuing resolute diplomatic measures, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung delivered an important speech at the 24th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on May 11, saying that the incident directly threatened peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea. The summit's documents also mentioned East Sea issues.

"Earlier at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM), which was convened for the first time in 1995, ASEAN Foreign Ministers adopted a stand-alone statement on the serious situation in the East Sea, showcasing ASEAN's central role, proactive approach, high responsibility and deep concern over regional peace, stability and security.

"Vietnam strongly protests against China's oil rig placement in Vietnam's continental shelf and EEZ, infringing sovereignty, sovereign and jurisdiction rights of Vietnam, seriously violating international law, and particularly the UNCLOS, and the spirit and wording of the Declaration on the conducts of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

"While countries are determining to seek peaceful measures to settle disputes and expend efforts to boost positive and practical consultation for a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) as soon as possible, China's act has complicated the situation and badly affected peace, stability, maritime security, safety and freedom, co-operation and development in the region.

"Vietnam insistently demands China withdraw the oil rig and escort vessels and aircraft from Vietnamese waters and not repeat similar acts.

"On this occasion, Vietnam would like to extend grateful thanks to nations, individuals and international organisations for their voices against the serious infringement and support for Vietnam's legitimate demand, as well as to press agencies, local and international media for the precise and objective communication about China's wrongdoings."

Regarding the incident's effect on co-operative activities between Vietnam and China in the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership, Binh affirmed that Vietnam always attached importance to friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with China and believed that bilateral ties would thrive only when both sides respected each other's legitimate interests and worked together willingly to resolve disagreements.

China's acts had clearly affected political trust and co-operation between the two countries and hurt Vietnamese people's feelings.

Answering a question on whether Vietnam had informed the United Nations Secretary General about the incident and raised the matter with UN agencies, Binh said that addressing disputes in the East Sea for regional peace and stability was in the interests of all countries.

While countries were seeking peaceful measures to resolve disputes, including boosting positive and practical consultation to conclude the COC, the incident had complicated the situation and seriously affected regional peace, stability, co-operation and development, Binh said.

In such a situation and under the motto of taking all measures in accordance with international law to protect the country's legitimate rights and interests, on May 7 Vietnam issued a diplomatic note opposing China's illegal oil rig placement in Vietnamese waters.

The spokesperson responded to a question about activities of the Overseas Vietnamese (OV) community decrying China's wrongdoings, showing that all Vietnamese in or outside the country bear in their heart a deep patriotism and concern about the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

OV have expressed their patriotism and resolution in protecting national sovereignty. The Party, the State and local people was touched and grateful for the community's patriotic spirit and unity looking towards the motherland, Binh said.

Regarding riots in Binh Duong province, the spokesperson said that several people took advantage of the peaceful march to incite protesters to riot, causing social disorder and instability. Immediately after the incidents, Vietnamese authorities cracked down on these lawbreakers, Binh said.

He affirmed that Vietnam would take all necessary measures to ensure legitimate rights and interests of businesses in Binh Duong province and across the country.

About a recent incident in Ha Tinh province, Binh said that it was a conflict between groups of workers, killing one and injuring some people. Local authority has investigated the incident, arrested rioters and provided medical aid to the injured.

Binh also answered a question about the 18th round of Vietnam-US human rights dialogue in Washington on May 11-12. He said that the two sides openly discussed matters of mutual concern, including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the rights of workers and the disabled, the law-governed state and the enhancement of multilateral co-operation on human rights.

Vietnam communicated openly and sufficiently about efforts, policies and achievements in ensuring human rights in Vietnam, responded openly on several matters of US concern and stated the country's readiness to exchange and collaborate through multilateral human rights mechanisms, including the UN Human Rights Council, of which both countries are members, Binh said.

The dialogue is a mechanism of constructiveness, willingness and mutual respect, helping the two countries enhance understanding, narrowing differences in human rights and contributing to promoting the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership, he said.

(Source: Nhandan Online)