(VOV) – Vietnamese and foreign scholars on June 21 gave an in-depth analysis of China’s illegal placement of its floating drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 deep inside Vietnam’s exclusive zone and continental shelf.
They examined China’s motive behind its unilateral positioning of the platform and the legal basis of its wrongful actions.
They voiced opposition to Beijing’s illegal oil rig placement and the violent, inhumane actions against Vietnamese boats by Chinese vessels and aircraft deployed to protect the rig. These Chinese ships intimidated, attacked and even sank Vietnamese law enforcement and fishing boats.
To maintain peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, the scholars proposed all concerned parties exercise restraint, strengthen confidence-building measures, and not take additional unilateral actions to change the status quo of regional islands.
They called on China and ASEAN to promptly formulate a highly legal binding code of conduct (COC) to prevent further escalations in the East Sea.
They said the settlement of territorial disputes over the two groups of islands in the East Sea (Paracel and Spratly) based on historical evidence and legal foundations in accordance with international law is of great importance to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the region.
The scholars stressed that the use of force to intentionally alter the status quo, destabilize the region, and infringe upon territorial sovereignty of any party attempting to take control of the East Sea is unacceptable.
According to Professor Eric Franckx from Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, evidence supplied by Vietnam is more convincing than China’s, and Vietnam should force China into an international arbitration court to garner more international support regardless of whether China accepts the suit.
Exhibition on Truong Sa, Hoang Sa
An exhibition “Hoang Sa and Truong Sa – an inherent part of Vietnamese territory” opened in Danang city on June 21, drawing the participation of scholars and local residents.
Exhibits show Vietnam has exercised its sovereignty over the two archipelagos peacefully and constantly for many centuries.
Researcher Bui Van Tieng, chairman of the Danang Historical Sciences Association, said the exhibits help Vietnamese and international scholars gather more materials, contributing to the struggle for justice and demanding China to withdraw its oil rig from Vietnam’s territorial waters.
Đăng ký: VietNam News