VietNamNet Bridge – China’s illegal placement of a drilling rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the East Sea infringes upon the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), an Indian expert has affirmed.

The act also violates Vietnam’s sovereignty, stated Vinod Anand, a senior expert of the New Delhi-based Vivekananda International Foundation, during his talks with the Vietnam News Agency in New Delhi, India on May 12.

China’s illegal placement of the Haiyang Shiyou – 981 oil rig escorted by a fleet of ships, including military vessels, and military jets in Vietnam’s waters is an aggressive act, which could escalate tensions and be detrimental to peace and stability in the region, the expert said.

The act taken by China runs counter to international principles, he commented, suggesting the regional countries and the international community work together to compel China to abide by international principles in seeking solutions to the dispute.

The Indian expert said that the ASEAN member countries should reinforce their solidarity and work with the international community in asking for China’s participation in a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

He underlined the use of peaceful measures for the dispute.

German expert: China’s rig placement violates int’l law

An expert on Southeast Asia at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs has criticised China’s illegal placement of the Haiyang Shiyou – 981 drilling rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency in Germany, Dr. Gerhard Will said that China’s deed violates the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

According to him, the act constitutes a serious setback in the efforts to diminish disputes in the East Sea as well as the implementation of the DOC signed by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

China’s deed is unbeneficial to its political and economic ties with its southern neighbours while seriously damaging its relationship with Vietnam, he noted.

Tension escalation is neither a desire of Southeast Asian countries nor of benefit to China’s long-term interest, he said.

He added that all nations in territorial disputes with China like Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines need to do now is to react carefully and maintain a common stance.

Source: Vietnam Plus