World protests against China’s test flights to disputed East Sea
9/1/16
Fiery Cross (Source: AFP)
China’s landing of two civilian planes on an illegally-built runway in
the Chu Thap (Fiery Cross) reef, in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly)
archipelago on January 6, has sparked protests in the region, and the
world.
In a joint news conference with British Foreign Secretary, Philip
Hammond, in Manila on January 7, his Filipino counterpart Albert del
Rosario, said such a move would be "unacceptable”, and expressed his
worry that with the test flights, China was laying the groundwork for
the declaration of an Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), similar to
the one it declared in the East China Sea, according to Reuters.
Hammond, for his part, urged rival governments to avoid provocative
steps and affirmed that freedom of navigation and overflight in the East
Sea is non-negotiable.
The UK will continue to assert its right to sail in the area, he said.
Following China’s first test flight to the reef on January 2, Japanese
Foreign Minister, Fumio Kishida, expressed his grave concern about
China's act, which he said, is a unilateral change of the status quo in
the region and an attempt to make Beijing's massive and fast-paced land
reclamation work in the disputed seas a “fait accompli”.
Japan cannot accept this act which is escalating tensions in the region,
and is a concern shared by the international community, Kishida said.
"Japan will continue to cooperate with other countries concerned with
protecting the freedom of the seas."
On January 4, the US declared that flight operations at this new
airfield in a disputed area raises tensions and threatens regional
stability, and worries that Beijing plans to use them for military
purposes, even though China says it has no hostile intent.
On January 7, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s spokesman, Le Hai Binh, said
China’s action is a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty, a threat to
peace and stability in the region, as well as maritime and aviation
security, safety, and freedom in the East Sea.
Vietnam resolutely asks China to immediately stop similar actions that
violate Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa archipelago, respect
relevant international law, and refrain from escalating and complicating
the dispute, Binh said.
Vietnam will firmly safeguard its sovereignty, sovereign and
jurisdictional rights in the East Sea by peaceful means, in accordance
with the United Nations Charter and international law, he added.-VNA
All comments [ 16 ]
China’s action is a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty
China's actions threatened peace and stability in the region, as well as maritime and aviation security, safety, and freedom in the East Sea.
China’s recent aggressive acts in the East Sea has pushed escalation of tensions in the area and sparked concern that the area is becoming a flashpoint with global consequences
Despite Vietnam’s diplomatic measures to settle the tension in the East Vietnam Sea after China illegally placed an oil rig there, Beijing has continued escalating in the area,
The East Sea is abundant in natural resources, especially oil, gas and marine resources. Recently, data suggest that the sea has huge reserves of natural hydrate.
So far, both Chinese politicians and scholars have failed to provide satisfactory answers.
Vietnam will prepare subsequent steps to protect its legitimate rights and interests
In fact, China had never claimed sovereignty over the islands before the 1940s
Vietnam has actively ruled over both the Paracels and the Spratlys since the 17th Century - and has the documents to prove it.
Maintaining maritime safety and security is the common responsibility of all concerned countries, both within and outside the region.
the illegal actions of China have been strongly criticized by many countries, including the US, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam and the international community.
China would unilaterally establish air defense identification zone (ADIZ) to control the East Sea
the Chu Thap (Fiery Cross) reef on the Spratly belongs to Vietnam, but China used forces to conquer in 1988
China’s action is a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty, a threat to peace and stability in the region, as well as maritime and aviation security, safety, and freedom in the East Sea.
Japan affirmed that it will continue to cooperate with other countries concerned with protecting the freedom of the seas
the image of China has been sevely compromised by it's actions that defy the international law
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