Leaders of the Group of 7 have expressed their deep concern about tensions between China and a number of Asian countries in the East and East China Seas and warned against any use of force.

In a statement released after evening talks in Brussels, Belgium, on June 4, they voiced their opposition to any unilateral attempt by any party to assert its territorial or maritime claims through the use of intimidation, coercion or force.

They called on all parties concerned to clarify and pursue their territorial and maritime claims in accordance with international law.

China has been engaged in territorial disputes with a number of Southeast Asian countries in the East Sea and Japan in the East China Sea.

Tensions in the East Sea have increased recently after China illegally stationed its drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 deep inside Vietnam’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.  

China even deployed a large number of vessels, including military ships, and aircraft to protect the rig. These vessels constantly intimidated and rammed Vietnamese law enforcement boats, injuring sailors and causing property damages.

Most recently a Chinese ship sank a Vietnamese vessel which was fishing in the traditional Hoang Sa (Paracel) fishing ground, 17miles off China’s oil rig.