(VOV) – The Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation (VPDF) released a statement in Hanoi on May 11, protesting against China’s illegal deployment of an oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
- Buddhist Sangha condemns China’s East Sea violation
- Peace committee concerned about China’s East Sea violation
- Lawyers’ Association condemns China’s oil rig location
The statement says China on May 2 moved drilling rig HD-981 for oil exploration in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf and deployed a large force of escort ships, including military vessels and aircraft, intimidating Vietnamese Maritime Police and Fisheries Control ships in the area.
These unilateral actions by China are illegal, run counter to international law and practice, and seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago, as well as the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
Such actions go against the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) between China and ASEAN member states, complicate and destabilize the regional situation, and seriously violate the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
They contradict the agreements between senior leaders of Vietnam and China, negatively impact political trust and cooperation in various fields between the two countries, hurt the feelings of the Vietnamese people, cause concern among public opinion in Vietnam and the world, and gravely affect the regional environment of peace and stability.
The Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation stands determinedly against such actions by China, and demands that China immediately withdraw the drilling rig and all escort ships from the area and enter into negotiations to settle related disagreements. China should put an end to and not repeat such actions in the future.
The statement notes that for every country, sovereignty and territorial integrity are sacred. Peace and stability among nations require respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The VPDF supports the position and efforts of the Vietnamese Government to defend its lawful sovereignty by peaceful means and persistently promote negotiations on the basis of observance of international law, especially the UNCLOS, the DOC, and the agreements between senior leaders of the two countries.
The VPDF calls upon people cherishing peace and justice in the world to raise their voice asking China to respect international law and Vietnam’s lawful sovereignty, and put an end to unilateral actions threatening peace, stability and security in the region.
Vietnam and China are bound by long-standing relations of traditional friendship; the Vietnamese people always treasure and wish to preserve friendly relations with the Chinese people. The Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation proposes that Chinese organizations working in the fields of peace and development, and all Chinese people of goodwill and conscience, contribute practically and responsibly to easing the current tense situation.
Đăng ký: VietNam News