United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urges:

"The parties concerned to exercise the utmost restraint and resolve their dispute in a peaceful manner, through dialogue and in conformity with international law, including the UN Charter."

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel, told reporters in Hanoi:

“The U.S. is greatly concerned about any dangerous conduct at sea and we oppose any act of intimidation by vessels including and particularly in disputed areas."

The Spokesperson of the EU High Representative said in a statement on May 8:

“We are concerned about recent incidents involving China and Vietnam relating to the movements of the Chinese oil rig HD981. In particular, the EU is concerned that unilateral actions could affect the security environment in the region, as evidenced by reports about the recent collision of Vietnamese and Chinese vessels. We urge all parties concerned to seek peaceful and cooperative solutions in accordance with international law, in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and to continue ensuring safety and freedom of navigation.”

UK Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire, further to the statement by the Spokesperson of the EU High Representative, said:

"The UK supports the EU statement issued on May 8, and has raised the issue with the Chinese government at Ministerial level. We urge all parties to exercise restraint and seek to de-escalate the situation."

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters in Tokyo:

"We are deeply worried as regional tensions have risen with China unilaterally starting rigging activities in disputed waters… We recognize this incident is part of China’s unilateral and provocative maritime activities."

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington:

"… China’s decision to operate its oil rig in disputed waters is provocative and unhelpful to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region... This unilateral action appears to be part of a broader pattern of Chinese behavior to advance its claims over disputed territory in a manner that undermines peace and stability in the region."

Source: SGT