US voices concern over China’s sinking of Vietnamese fishing vessel in East Sea

10/4/20
The Vietnamese sinking boat in the East Sea
The US Department of Defence issued a statement on April 9 expressing its deep concern over a Chinese coast guard's collision with and sinking of a Vietnamese fishing vessel near Vietnam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago in the East Sea.

"China’s behaviour stands in contrast to the US's vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, in which all nations, large and small, are secure in their sovereignty, free from coercion, and able to pursue economic growth consistent with accepted international rules and norms," according to the statement.

The US will continue to support efforts to ensure freedom of navigation and economic opportunity throughout the entire Indo-Pacific, it said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of the rules-based international order, as it sets the conditions that enable us to address this shared threat in a way that is transparent, focused, and effective”, it added.

The US called on all parties to refrain from actions that would destabilise the region, distract from the global response to the pandemic, or risk needlessly contributing to loss of life and property.

The Vietnamese vessel, number QNg 90617 TS, with eight fishermen on board, was hit and sank when it was fishing near Hoang Sa's Phu Lam island on April 2.

According to spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, Vietnam lodged an official complaint with China following the incident.

While answering to reporters’ queries about the incident on April 3, Hang said that Vietnam has sufficient legal grounds and historical evidence affirming its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes in accordance with international law, she said.

Such an act by the China coast guard ship violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Paracel islands, causing damage, threatening the safety of life and the legitimate interests of Vietnamese fishermen.

It also went against the common perception of senior leaders of the two countries on the humane treatment of fishermen and the Vietnam-China agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues, and in contrary to the spirit of the Declaration of Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC), which complicates the situation and is not conducive to the bilateral relations as well as the maintenance of peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea, she said./.
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All comments [ 10 ]


Socialist Society 10/4/20 16:40

China's behavior was unacceptable, they acted with no respect to lives of Vietnamese fishermen and international rules and norms

LawrenceSamuels 10/4/20 16:42

China always orders its naval forces to act violently with boats and fishermen of ASEAN countries

yobro yobro 10/4/20 16:44

Vietnam has sufficient legal grounds and historical evidence affirming its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes in accordance with international law

Red Star 10/4/20 16:45

the China coast guard ship violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Paracel islands, causing damage, threatening the safety of life and the legitimate interests of Vietnamese fishermen.

Me Too! 10/4/20 16:46

the international community will support Vietnam

Duncan 10/4/20 16:49

Vietnam has lodged an official complaint with China, demanding the Chinese side to investigate and clarify and strictly handle civil servants and the Chinese vessel mentioned above, not to repeat similar actions and at the same time adequately compensate for the losses of Vietnamese fishermen.

Enda Thompson 10/4/20 16:52

the maintenance of peace and stability in the East Sea is very important to all countries in the region and the whole world, therefore China must stop its violent actions

Herewecome 10/4/20 16:54

a Code of Conduct in the East Sea is crucial to avoid such incidents

Robinson Jones 10/4/20 16:55

China should quit its militarisation in the East Sea and show its willingness and cooperation capacity in security and economy on the basis of equality and the observance of international law

Egan 10/4/20 16:57

One of the conditions to completely address the disputes is trust between relevant sides

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