VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese associations in France issued a joint statement on May 11 condemning China’s serious infringement of Vietnam’s sovereignty, in response to China’s unilateral placement of oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 in Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf.

Chinese ships fire water cannons at Vietnamese vessels on May 4

What follows is the full text of the joint statement

Paris May 11th, 2014

1. Regarding China’s unilateral bringing of oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 into the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Vietnam on May 2nd, 2014, we, the representatives of the Vietnamese associations in France, had a joint meeting on May 8th, 2014. This unilateral act of China: (i) is a flagrant violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty; (ii) threatens regional security in the East Sea and (iii) violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) concerning the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.

China flagrantly violates Vietnam’s sovereignty

Haiyang Shiyou 981, which located 80 miles deep into the Vietnamese Continental Shelf and 120 miles from Vietnam’s coastal line, is entirely within the EEZ of Vietnam. According to the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), of which China is a member, Vietnam has sovereignty rights and jurisdiction over all exploration and extraction activities in the Vietnam’s EEZ. Also, other countries cannot extract oil in the aforementioned zone without explicit approval of Vietnam. In light of the above, the unilateral act of China is illegal.

China threatens regional security

On May 7th, 2014, China deployed 80 ships, including 7 military ships and 33 coast guard ships, with aerial support, to attack Vietnamese vessels by water cannon. China’s offensive act on Vietnamese vessels conducting responsibilities in conformity with international laws has wounded six Vietnamese fisheries controllers. Such act gravely threatens the security in the East Sea and in the region.

China disrespects its agreements with ASEAN countries

The aforementioned act of China runs counter to the DOC signed between ASEAN countries and China in 2002. In accordance with the DOC, all parties should not further complicate the disputes and resolve disputes in the East Sea peacefully and in conformity with international laws.

2. We call on international community, especially countries which have sovereign claims and are conducting legal extraction activities in the East Sea, to unite, voice up for justice, and condemn the hegemonism of Chinese administration for a world of peace and sustainable development.

Jointly signed by

Union of Vietnamese in France (UGVF), Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE), Union of Vietnamese Students in France (UEVF), Association of Civil Engineering, Mechanics, and Materials (GCMM), Association of Engineers and Electrical Engineering (AEEE), Group of Bridges and Roads (CDP), Association of Electrical Electronics Engineering (AEEE), Alliance of Vietnamese Students in France (ADEVF), Research Group on the East Sea in France (BDTP).

Source: Nhan Dan