China and a worthy condemnation
29/5/14
China’s illegal oil rig HD-981 deployment in the exclusive
economic zone and continental shelf of Vietnam continues to face stiff
opposition from the international community . Besides, the international media
also criticized the actions causing serious damage by relavant forces to life
and property of Vietnamese fishermen, especially the case when China rammed a fishing boat of Vietnam.
On May 26, Philippines President Benigno Aquino warned
that the China’s blatant drilling rig HD-981 placement deeply in Vietnam’s exclusive
economic zone and continental shelf bypassing opposition from Vietnam and the
international community has revealed that Beijing may continue to have similar
actions to destabilize the region. In an interview with the Financial Times
(UK), President Aquino said that China triggered a dangerous move
which may be beyond control and cause damage to the diplomatic relations and at
risk of a coming conflict. Mr. Aquino also said at the interview that “China
is " playing a dangerous game of brinkmanship and gunbost diplomacy”.
The president added he had received reports about the
recent intrusion by a Chinese research ship near the Philippines’
coast at the same time considered that what happen to Vietnam eventually happen to the Philippines. He
called on China
to stop unilateral actions that contravened the 2002 Declaration of Conduct it
had signed. He also urged the ASEAN member countries should have a stronger and
clearer voice about how to resolve disputes in accordance with international
law.
Meanwhile, international commentators asserted that
unilateral actions by Beijing as a wrong step damaging
China's
reputation in the international arena. In terms of strategy, NHK asserted that
with the deep placement of oil rig HD-981 in Vietnam’s
exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, China may have to pay dearly for
national supremacy and reputation when being a law unto itself. The same point
of view, the commentator Brad Glosserman shared in an article on The National
Interest newspaper (United States)
that China's
reputation has declined seriously because of being considered provoking factor into
stability in the region.
On May 27, Japan
has asked China for rein to avoid
escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
The appeal was made after China
had rammed a Vietnamese fishing boat on May 26.
Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan
Yoshihide Suga said: “It is an extremely dangerous act which threaten human
life”. He emphasized “it is important that all naitons work for the return to
regional stability, act calmly, carefully in accordance with international
law”. Meanwhile, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera considered the act
of ramming Vietnamese fishing boat as a “serious problem”. Speaking to
reporters on the same day, Mr. Onodera pointed out that the matter need to be
properly announced to the international community.
AFP news agency reported the incident happened in the May
26 afternoon of 26-5, Vietnamese fishing boat was surrounded among about 40
Chinese ships before being rammed. This French news agency quoted Japanese
government spokesman Yoshihide Suga about ramming Vietnamese fishing boat act
as an “extremely dangerous action”.
The BBC quoted Vice President of the Vietnam National
Assembly Huynh Ngoc Son when he claimed China’s
acts as “terrorist acts” against resistance fishermen to Vietnam.
Many major television channels like Bloomberg in the U.S., ABC in Australia,
Reuters and The Guardian newspaper in England
also criticized China’s act
amid tense relations between Vietnam
and China
is worth being condemned.
All comments [ 10 ]
China’s aggressive action, causing tensions in the East China Sea, is fully recognized by many countries around the world.
China’s provocative acts are the cause of rising tensions in the South China Sea.
China’s unilateral actions have violated strongly international laws and threatened Vietnam’s sovereignty and security in the region.
China’s escalating actions towards Vietnam in the South China Sea have also caused growing concern among its neighbouring countries.
The rig is about 130 miles off the coast of Vietnam, in waters that Vietnam claims as an exclusive economic zone under international law. China’s claim is more tenuous, but it is backed up with a flotilla of some 80 ships that for a week have engaged in a dangerous contest of ramming and water-hosing Vietnamese vessels.
The move of the oil rig appears to reflect a calculation that a more aggressive policy will not meet meaningful resistance from China’s neighbors
Vietnam could bring a case against China at an international tribunal under the Law of the Sea treaty.
It is clear that China has not respected international agreements and is ready to use force to solve territorial disputes.
Vietnam should build closer links with major partners such as the US, Japan, India, ASEAN and the EU to increase its diplomatic strength
it is essential that ASEAN takes a firm position unless China stops all these kinds of activities of forcibly occupying the islands bit by bit.
Vietnam in particular should hold meetings and consultations with political leaders and experts to raise the awareness and also to bring to the fore the facts of the dispute and to mobilise the support across all sections.
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