East Sea tensions were hotly debated at a recent workshop in capital Vienna where scholars shed light on the current situation and suggested solutions to the territorial dispute.

Dr Alfred Gerstl, Southeast Asia expert at the Department of East Asian Studies under the University of Vienna, delivered a keynote speech, reviewing the history of the East Sea, territorial claims of regional countries, latest developments, and forecasts.

Dr Gerstl said a number of regional countries have made their territorial claims in the East Sea for several decades, but tensions have escalated after China stationed its floating drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 inside Vietnam’s territorial waters since early May 2014.

According to Dr Gerstl, the root cause of the territorial dispute lies in the ambition of regional countries in controlling the rich oil, gas and mineral reserves of the East Sea, as well as its strategic position in maritime transportation. The East Sea is also the traditional fishing ground of coastal countries in the region.

China, a world power, is seeking new oil and gas reserves to meet its rapid development requirements.  Its claim is vague, as its so-called nine-dash line covers up to 85% of the East Sea’s area.

Dr Gerstl said the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is the most important legal tool for settling the recent territorial dispute.

He also stressed the important role ASEAN plays in addressing the issue as most claimants are ASEAN member states.

In addition, ASEAN is diversifying relations with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Australia, and the US. The grouping also signed the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) with China.  

The Austrian scholar noted that China’s unilateral oil rig placement has received no support from the international community. World powers like the US, India, Japan and the European Union have even expressed deep concern about China’s illegal action.

He also acknowledged Vietnam’s perseverance and tactful response in an attempt to avoid a regional conflict and maintain regional peace.

He said settling the East Sea dispute requires parties concerned to exercise restraint and sit for negotiations in accordance with international law, alongside political concession and support from countries beyond the region.

In his speech, Vietnamese ambassador to Austria Nguyen Thiep stressed that Vietnam pursues peaceful settlement of the East Sea dispute, but it is determined to defend national sovereignty.

He expressed hope Austria and other European Union nations will continue voicing their support for the peaceful settlement of the dispute in line with international law, primarily the 1982 UNCLOS.

The workshop was held at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.