VietNamNet Bridge – Many people once expected that China’s development would bring back positive effects on the region but disappointment, doubt, and worry have gradually emerged.

Chinese coast guard ships always ram into Vietnamese law enforcement vessels

Mr. Rommel Banlaoi, Head of the Philippine Center for Intelligence and National Security Studies (CINSS), told about 100 scholars, experts, and diplomats to the recent seminar on situation in Southeast Asia and East Viet Nam Sea.

The situation is getting worse as China is conducting a series of actions that have caused instability in the East Viet Nam Sea. On May 2, China illegally installed its Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig well within Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

It is clear that China’s move seriously violates international commitments like the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, he affirmed.

All the Chinese actions aim to realize its ambition of taking illegal possession of the whole East Viet Nam Sea.

Mr. Rommel Banlaoi also noted that Viet Nam’s protests against China’s move go beyond what China anticipated. Vietnamese people’s patriotism and determination to protect their marine sovereignty are becoming increasingly strong across the country.

Viet Nam has never stepped back in protecting its national sovereignty and interests and China must understand this, he said.

The situation in the region is becoming more serious as China has announced to send more drilling rigs to the East Viet Nam Sea.

To safeguard peace and security in the region, China must respect the agreements it has signed and ASEAN countries must cement solidarity. Only by solidarity and cooperation, can the tension in the East Viet Nam Sea be settled.

Regarding the European Union’s statement on the East Viet Nam Sea, he said that the statement was not strong enough in comparison with the bloc’s strength. He called on the EU to have stronger voice and actions.

VGP/VNN