East Sea tensions following China’s illegal placement of its drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone were hotly debated at the recent 13th Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore.

Most participating delegates voiced their support for Vietnam’s stance, condemned China’s move and asked it to immediately stop destabilising actions in the region.

Vietnamese Defence Minister Gen. Phung Quang Thanh attending the Shangri-La Dialogue (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of settling the East Sea dispute by peaceful measures in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration o the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and ASEAN’s Six-Point Principle on the East Sea.

He demanded China that China immediately withdraw the rig from Vietnam’s waters and sit down at the negotiating table to maintain peace, stability, and relationships between the two countries.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a keynote speaker at the regional security summit, supported Vietnam and the Philippines in reducing tensions in the East Sea, and stressed the use of force and intimidation the change the status quo is unjustifiable.

Japan will offer its utmost support for the efforts of ASEAN countries as they work to ensure the security of the seas and the skies, and thoroughly maintain freedom of navigation and overflight, he said.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel accused China of carrying out acts that cause instability in the East Sea and warned Washington would not ignore such acts if the international order is threatened.

He said China has undertaken destabilising, unilateral actions to assert its claims in the East Sea. The US “will not look the other way when fundamental principles of the international order are being challenged".

He also made it clear that Washington firmly opposes any nation’s use of intimidation, coercion, or the threat of using force to assert those claims.

Hagel confirmed the US will continue to embark on its pivot policy in Asia, and Asia-Pacific nations need to cooperate with each other to maintain peace, prosperity and long-term stability.

Russian Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov said Russia’s main goal is to ensure peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region which is vital to sustainable economic development and prosperity of all nations.

Meeting security threats requires concerted efforts from all countries under the auspices of the United Nations and the UN Security Council, as well as regional and sub-regional structures such as the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum, and ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+), he said.

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves e Drian asked parties concerned to soon reach a consensus conclusion of a code of conduct in the East Sea (COC), considering it an effective tool for preventing disputes and building an environment of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Singaporean Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said reducing these threats by developing multilateral relations and frameworks to restore confidence through cooperation and consensus.

Meanwhile, the Chinese delegation failed to explain its groundless East Sea claim. Scholars asked head of the Chinese delegation, Lieutenant General Wang Guanzhong, to elaborate on China’s so-called ‘nine-dash line’ in the East Sea.

However, Wang, who is deputy chief of the general staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, just said China is preparing for direct negotiations with each of the parties concerned.

VOV/VNN