On his X account on October 3, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated the US is deeply concerned by reports of dangerous actions by Chinese law enforcement vessels against Vietnamese fishing vessels around the Hoang Sa archipelago on September 29, stressing that the US calls on China to desist from dangerous and destabilising conduct in the East Sea.

The European Union (EU) Delegation to Vietnam also expressed deep concern at reports related to the case, and emphasised the need to uphold and respect the UN Charter, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), and other international norms related to the safety of human life at sea. The delegation said it also condemns any illegal actions or escalations that undermine these principles of international law and threaten peace and stability in the region.

On October 4, the Philippines also condemned the violent and illegal actions of the Chinese law enforcement force against Vietnamese fishermen in the Hoang Sa archipelago.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año as emphasising that the use of force by the Chinese law enforcement force against Vietnamese fishermen violates international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982.

On the same day, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines issued a statement, underlining the importance of resolving disputes in the East Sea peacefully and in line with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982.

It is a paramount obligation to ensure the safety at sea of vessels and their crew, especially fisherfolk, the DFA said.

Regarding the Chinese law enforcement force’s suppression, injuring, and seizure of property of Vietnamese fishermen on fishing vessel QNg 95739 TS from central Quang Ngai province while the boat was operating in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago area, spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang has stated that Vietnam is extremely concerned about, discontented with, and resolutely opposes the Chinese law enforcement force’s brutal behaviours.

She emphasised that the abovementioned acts by the Chinese law enforcement force had seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago, infringed international law and UNCLOS 1982, and run counter to the common perceptions of the two countries’ high-ranking leaders about better control and management of disputes at sea.

Vietnam is extremely concerned about, discontented with, and resolutely opposes the Chinese law enforcement force’s brutal behaviours towards the Vietnamese fishermen and fishing vessel operating in Vietnam's Hoang Sa archipelago area, which injured, threatened the lives, and caused property damage to the Vietnamese fishermen, she said.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sternly communicated with the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi, strongly opposed the abovementioned acts by the Chinese law enforcement force, and demanded China to fully respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago, quickly investigate and announce results to the Vietnamese side, and not repeat similar acts, she went on./.VNA