On 16 July 2014, Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh stated:
“Since 2 May 2014, the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig and many escort vessels, including military vessels of China have infringed upon the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Vietnam. The oil rig was installed and operated only around 130 nautical miles off the Vietnamese coast. Chinese vessels encircled, intentionally rammed and fired high-power water cannon at the Vietnamese coast guard and fishery surveillance ships performing their duties within Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, injuring several Vietnamese fishery surveillance staff on board, causing damages to Vietnamese law enforcement forces, and even sinking a Vietnamese fishing boat. Viet Nam has made resolute efforts to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights by peaceful means.
Once again, Vietnam reiterates that the area where the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig has operated since early May is within the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Vietnam. The operation of the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig and Chinese escort vessels over the past two months is completely illegal and in violation of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Vietnam looks forward to settling disputes and differences in the East Sea via peaceful negotiation on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. With a view to creating a peaceful and stable environment in the East Sea, Vietnam requests that China refrain from the deployment of the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig or any other oil rig in Block 143 of Vietnam or in any other area within the Vietnamese waters prescribed under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and respect Vietnam’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
Vietnam is resolved to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights in accordance with international law.”
Đăng ký: VietNam News