New China map makes bogus East Sea claim

Le Hai Binh, spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry. — Photo bizlive

HA NOI (VNS)— Vietnam has strongly condemned the publication of a Chinese map showing that it owns almost the entire East Sea.
This has further complicated the situation in the East Sea. In May, China placed an oil rig in Vietnamese waters.
Le Hai Binh, spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, told a press conference yesterday that the publication of the map by the Hunan Map Publishing House clearly violated international law and Viet Nam's national sovereignty.
Binh said that despite the recent visit to Hanoi by Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi, China continued with its aggressive actions.
This included putting the Spratly and Paracel Islands of Viet Nam into a new Chinese land registration system, opening a school project on Phu Lam Island belonging to Viet Nam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago - and expanding and transforming many parts of Spratly Island.
"We have many times re-affirmed Viet Nam's stance towards the Spratly and Paracel Islands, strongly condemning the wrongful acts and asking China to respect international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC)," Binh said.
Binh said Viet Nam also denounced China's latest placement of the Nanhai 9 drilling platform off the Gulf of Tonkin, but said it was within undefined waters between China and Viet Nam. However, according to international law, no countries have authority to start exploratory activities in this area.
Viet Nam closely monitored other Chinese oil rigs in the East Sea, but was committed to using peaceful solutions to solve the situation, said Binh.
At the press conference, Ha Le, deputy head of Viet Nam's Fishing Surveillance Department, confirmed that 27 Vietnamese fishing surveillance vessels had been damaged and 15 fishing surveillance officers had been injured during nearly two-months of turmoil.
Le refuted a recent claim by the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry that said that Viet Nam's vessels intentionally rammed Chinese civilian vessels.

More condemnation

The Philippines' Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday also criticised China's publication of a map that covers nearly all waters and islands in the East Sea, affirming that it violates international law.
This act of China is completely unacceptable as it runs counter to international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to which China is a party, the ministry said in its statement.
The ministry's spokesman Charles Jose described China's "ambitious expansionism" as the reason for the current tensions in the East Sea. The official asserted that territorial and maritime disputes must be resolved at an international arbitral court.
Meanwhile, the Mexico – Viet Nam Friendship and Cooperation Institute (MVCFI) on Wednesday held a meeting in front of the Chinese Embassy in Mexico City to protest China's illegal stationing of the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Viet Nam's continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.
About 100 members of the institute and representatives from media agencies and socio-political organisations of Mexico participated in the event, carrying placards and banners demanding China respect Viet Nam's sovereignty, immediately withdraw the rig and escort ships from Viet Nam's waters, and comply with international law.
At the event, MVCFI Honorary President Virgilio Caballero read a statement denouncing China's deployment of the rig along with a large number of vessels and aircraft to protect the rig and attack Vietnamese ships.
The document said such acts of China seriously violate the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea agreed by the Vietnamese and Chinese Governments in October 2011, and run counter to the 2002 ASEAN – China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea. The moves also defy international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, it added.
In the statement, MVCFI called upon Chinese leaders to respect the agreements, especially those containing commitments to solving disputes peacefully, reached with their Vietnamese counterparts and international organisations.
The institute demanded that China remove the rig and all escort ships from Viet Nam's waters and stop ramming into Vietnamese ships in order to ease the tension and enhance mutual understanding.
They also asked the Mexican Government, particularly Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Meade, to send a diplomatic note to the Chinese Government to clarify basic principles and international agreements signed within the UN framework.
After the meeting, MVCFI leaders handed over the statement to representatives of the Chinese Embassy.
Also on Wednesday, the Viet Nam Lawyers' Association (VLA) issued another declaration protesting against China's actions that are escalating tensions in Viet Nam's waters.
The association asserted that the acts of China are clearly the use of force which seriously violated Viet Nam's sovereignty and human rights, running counter to the United Nations Charter and international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
These violent acts in reality are a far cry from what China often says as "only normal law enforcement activities," the association said.
The VLA demanded that the Chinese side immediately get the rig out of Viet Nam 's waters and end all force-using acts that threaten the life of Vietnamese people.
However, if China deliberately does not abide by the UN Charter and international law and continues infringing Viet Nam's sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction, the Viet Nam Lawyers' Association, with more than 46,000 members, called on the Vietnamese government to take legal actions in line with international law. The association pledged its support of the Government in such a move. — VNS

Source: vietnamnews.vn

China continues aggressive action

China yesterday sent more than 100 ships, including six military vessels, to protect its oil rig illegally stationed in Viet Nam's waters.

China yesterday sent more than 100 ships, including six military vessels, to protect its oil rig illegally stationed in Viet Nam's waters.
The Viet Nam Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department said the Chinese vessels continued to aggressively harass Vietnamese ships.
For nearly an hour and a half in the early afternoon, Chinese reconnaissance aircraft CMS-B3586 flew about 500 to 700 metres above the sea 12 nautical miles from the rig Haiyang Shiyou-981.
Vietnamese fisheries surveillance vessels continued their duties between nine and 11 nautical miles from the rig. At the same time, they communicated with the Chinese, asking them to withdraw the rig and escort their ships out of Viet Nam's waters.
Chinese coastguard vessels and tugboats travelled in rows at high speed in an attempt to ram and fire water cannons at Vietnamese ships, which refused to budge.
Meanwhile, about 30 Chinese fishing ships, escorted by two coastguard vessels coded 46102 and 46106, operated at a distance of 20-50 metres from Vietnamese fishing boats.
Supported by fisheries surveillance ships, the Vietnamese fishermen continued their normal activities 40-45 nautical miles west-southwest of the rig.

Laos worries

The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday sent a diplomatic note to the Vietnamese Embassy in Vientiane, voicing concern about the East Sea situation.
The Lao ministry said the East Sea was an important and sensitive area and was of paramount importance in maintaining and promoting peace, stability and co-operation.
It said Laos was worried about developments, calling for both sides to restrain from actions that could escalate tension.
The note asked both sides to solve the dispute peacefully in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
It said the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea must be implemented and that consultations on a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea should be stepped up. — VNS

Source: vietnamnews.vn

Chinese ships ram, damage VN vessel

A ship belonging to the Viet Nam Fishing Surveillance Department was deliberately rammed and seriously damaged .

HA NOI (VNS) — A ship belonging to the Vietnam Fishing Surveillance Department was deliberately rammed and seriously damaged by two Chinese ships illegally operating in Vietnamese waters yesterday.
The action continued China's flagrant violation of international law in placing an oil rig in Vietnamese seas and preventing the nation's vessels from engaging in their normal activities.
At 9:30 a.m., two Chinese tugboats 284 and 285 and a maritime patrol ship No. 11 blocked Vietnamese fishing surveillance ship KN-951 and steadied it on one side. The action allowed tugboat coded Xinhai 285 to ram the other side, seriously damaging the ship.

Chinese vessels continue to block Vietnamese ships near oil rig site

Chinese ships constantly followed and obstructed the law enforcement operations of Vietnamese fisheries surveillance authorities, coming as close as 30m from Vietnamese vessels.— Photo AFP

HA NOI (VNS) — Vietnamese fisheries surveillance ships as well as fishing boats refused to be cowed by Chinese aggression in the East Sea yesterday, persisting in asking that the illegally placed oil rig be moved out of Vietnamese waters.
The Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance Department said that China yesterday mobilised up to 137 ships, including five military ships, to protect oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 that it illegally stationed in Vietnamese waters.
At 06:40 and 08:13, Vietnam's law enforcement forces at sea also detected two Chinese reconnaissance aircraft operating at an altitude of 1,000m-2,000m in the west – southwest and the south – southwest areas, about 12-13 nautical miles from the rig's position.
Chinese ships constantly followed and obstructed the law enforcement operations of Vietnamese fisheries surveillance authorities, coming as close as 30m from Vietnamese vessels.
However, the Vietnamese fisheries surveillance vessels still retained their operations at about 10 – 12 nautical miles from the rig and conducted communication actions requesting the Chinese side to withdraw the rig and ships from Vietnamese waters.
The same day, about 54 Chinese fishing ships, supported by a coast guard ship (coded 46102), formed a line to block Vietnamese fishing boats from operating in their traditional fishing grounds, about 35-40 nautical miles from the rig.
However, the aggression could not stop Vietnamese fishermen from conducting their usual activities in the nation's sovereign waters.
Yesterday was a continuation of Chinese aggression in Vietnamese waters, including the firing of high-power water cannons and deliberate ramming of Vietnamese public-service and civil ships that has damaged many boats and injured many people on board.
Chinese ships have also continuously encircled, constrained and driven away Vietnamese fishing boats and even injured Vietnamese fishermen, threatening their lives.
Meanwhile, the US State Department has expressed concern over more Chinese rigs being placed in "disputed waters" in the East Sea.
Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said at a press conference in Washington on June 20 that the US State Department did not have enough information about the placement of the rigs and would withhold judgment.
"If a rig were placed in disputed waters, that would be a concern," she told reporters.
She said US has "a national interest in the maintenance of peace and stability in the region."
On the same day, US President Barack Obama and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key stressed the need for peaceful resolution of the East Sea dispute and called for steps to avoid the escalation of tensions.

Illegal acts

China towing second oil rig to East Vietnam Sea amid tensions

China has dispatched another oil rig, Nan Hai Jiu Hao, to the East Vietnam Sea after illegally placing the Haiyang Shiyou 981 drilling platform in Vietnamese waters since May 1, despite strong protest from Vietnam.

>> Vietnam opposes China at UN conference over oil rig
>> Vietnam recognizes sovereignty steles in Truong Sa as national relics
>> Chinese ship rams, sinks Vietnamese fishing boat in Vietnam’s waters

In a notice on its website on June 17, the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) said the new rig would be towed between June 18 and 20 by a tugboat from its existing location, at 17°38' North latitude and 110°12.3' East longitude, to the new location at 17°14.1' North latitude and 109°31' East longitude in the East Vietnam Sea.

The new location is near Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, a news website of Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television, ifeng.com, reported on June 18.

It is unknown how long the second rig, which is owned by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), will be placed in the East Vietnam Sea, according to ifeng.com.

As shown on the map, Nan Hai Jiu Hao is to be located in the area off the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin.

Vietnam and China are negotiating to fix a line to delineate the maritime boundary between the two countries in this gulf.   

Nan Hai Jiu Hao, a semi-submersible drilling rig, is 600 meters long and weighs 21,714 tons. It moves at four nautical miles per hour, the MSA said.

The towing of the second platform followed the visit of Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi who arrived in Vietnam on Wednesday to discuss the first rig issue and bilateral cooperation.

Yang left the country the same day after meeting with high-ranking Vietnamese officials in Hanoi.

At the talk with Yang yesterday, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed that by placing the Haiyang Shiyou 981 rig in the Vietnamese waters around Hoang Sa, China has seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty and the agreements reached between leaders of both countries as well as broken international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea (DOC).

PM Dung requested that China remove its rig and escorting ships from Vietnam’s waters and join talks for the settlement of disputes and differences between the two countries by peaceful measures based on international law and the common perception of the two countries’ leaders.

Earlier the same day, at a meeting with the Chinese official, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh firmly asserted Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa as well as its sovereign right and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as defined by the 1982 UNCLOS to which both Vietnam and China are signatories.

The Deputy PM demanded that China withdraw its rig and guardian ships from Vietnam’s waters, control the situation to prevent conflicts, and join talks for the settlement of current tensions.

Source: TuoiTre News

Viet Nam condemns China at Law of the Sea meeting

• 

Vietnam News Agency reporters yesterday took this picture of a Chinese ship, one of more than 120 vessels that are protecting the oil rig illegally placed within Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. — VNA/VNS Photo Khanh Hieu–Quang Vu

• Why China's claim to Paracels is not ‘undisputed'
• Paracels may not be China's goal

NEW YORK — Viet Nam has again asked China to withdraw its drilling rig and accompanying vessels from Vietnamese waters, Ambassador Le Hoai Trung, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations, has said.

Addressing the plenary session of the 24th meeting of states and parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in New York on Friday, Trung also demanded China settle disputes through negotiations and other peaceful means in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS.
As head of the Vietnamese delegation, the diplomat also called for continued attention by the international community, including UNCLOS members to the situation in the East Sea.
He also asked them to oppose unilateral acts that created tensions.
Trung asked for the international community's support against the use of force in the settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including the UNCLOS 1982.

China keeps up aggressive tactics near East Sea oil rig

A Chinese vessel fires water cannon at a Vietnamese surveillance vessel on May 12. – VNA/VNS Photo Van Son

• Why China's claim to Paracels is not ‘undisputed'
• Paracels may not be China's goal
• China's East Sea justification absurd
• China shifts oil rig again, VN boats harassed
• ARF spotlights East Sea issue

HA NOI — Tension continues to escalate in the East Sea as China maintains the presence of a large number of ships around the drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981, according to the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance Department.

As many as 39 coast guard vessels, 14 cargo ships, 20 tugboats and six warships were defending the rig yesterday, which has been illegally stationed in Viet Nam's waters since the beginning of May.
Chinese vessels surround the rig on all sides, aggressively ramming and firing water cannons at Vietnamese vessels to keep them nine to 11 nautical miles from it, the department said.
Meanwhile, about 35 Chinese fishing vessels, with the support of coastguard ships, violently rammed Vietnamese fishing boats operating in their traditional fishing grounds about 30 to 40 nautical miles from the rig.
According to eyewitnesses, the Chinese attempted to present themselves as victims by sailing past Vietnamese fishing boats and then suddenly reversing into them so that it would look like the Chinese ships were rammed.
The department said Vietnamese fishing boats have persisted in using their fishing grounds, while coastguard and fisheries surveillance authorities continued asking China to remove the rig from Viet Nam's waters.
Early in May, China illegally dispatched the rig as well as a large fleet of armed vessels, military ships and aircraft to Viet Nam's waters and positioned it at 15 degrees 29 minutes 58 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 12 minutes 06 seconds east longitude, 80 miles inside Viet Nam's continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.
In May alone, 19 fisheries surveillance ships and five coast guard vessels belonging to Vietnam were seriously damaged after being rammed and fired at with water cannons.
On May 26, Chinese ships sank a fishing boat belonging to Da Nang fishermen operating in their traditional fishing grounds near Viet Nam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.

Lawyers respond

The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) issued a statement on the escalating violence in the East Sea at a press conference in Hanoi yesterday.
The statement pointed out that, despite Viet Nam's protests, China dispatched more than 80 vessels and aircraft, including military ships, to the area. It added that the situation escalated as Chinese vessels rammed and fired water cannons at several Vietnamese coast guard and fisheries surveillance ships, inflicting damage and casualties.
IADL said it had been informed that there had been several incidents directed against Vietnamese fishing boats, damaging some, injuring fishermen and sinking a Vietnamese fishing vessel.
After considering these facts, the statement said the association had decided to send a letter to Chinese authorities asking all sides to solve disputes peacefully and strictly comply with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which China and Viet Nam are signatories.
IADL has demanded that China clarify the legal basis for placing the rig in Vietnamese waters, deploying vessels and aircraft to the vicinity of the rig.
It has also demanded that China explain its provocative acts, such as ramming and firing water cannons at Vietnamese ships.
It calls upon China, as a member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to completely respect and observe the UN charters and behave in line with its status as a major country in maintaining regional and international peace, stability and security.
In the letter, the organisation also requested China to respect international law, restrain from actions that may escalate tensions in the region and jeopardise security and safety in the East Sea.
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also discussed the issue with Jitendra Sharma, President Emeritus of IADL. Sharma said the association supported Viet Nam taking measures to deal with the East Sea issue in line with international laws.
Phuc said the association's support would help international friends understand Viet Nam's legal basis in protecting its sovereignty. — VNS

Source: http://vietnamnews.vn

Chinese ships continue aggression

China's fishing boats, backed by two coast guard ships, continued to hinder Vietnamese fisheries surveillance and fishing ships from accessing the rig.

HA NOI (VNS) — Vietnam fisheries surveillance ships yesterday continued intense efforts to oppose China and get it to withdraw the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 from Viet Nam's waters.
The ships stayed about 8-10 nautical miles from where China's oil rig has been illegally placed, according to the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance Department.
Meanwhile, Viet Nam's fishing boats carried out normal fishing activities about 35-40 nautical miles from the rig, asserting control over their fishing grounds.
In addition to protesting China's s violation of Viet Nam's sovereignty, the fisheries surveillance ships stood side-by-side with fishing boats to protect them from Chinese vessels.
China has maintained nearly 120 ships in the area, including 40 coast guard vessels, more than 30 cargo ships and tugboats, 35-40 fishing boats and four warships. A Y-8 aircraft was also spotted flying 300-500m above the oil rig.
China's fishing boats, backed by two coast guard ships, continued to hinder Vietnamese fisheries surveillance and fishing ships from accessing the rig.
The Chinese vessels staged spontaneous assaults, pushing Viet Nam's fishing boats about 35-40 nautical miles away from the rig.
At one point, the Chinese vessels even organised into groups, about 9-11 nautical miles from the rig, poising themselves to ram and fire water cannons at the Vietnamese ships.
The Vietnamese fisheries surveillance and fishing ships remained unharmed despite acts of aggression from Chinese vessels.
Chinese tugboat 281 on Saturday deliberately rammed into Viet Nam's fisheries surveillance ship KN-635 that was conducting law enforcement in the area around the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig that is illegally standing in Vietnamese waters.
The Chinese fleet also blasted sirens, fired water cannons and were ready to ram Vietnamese vessels at any time, preventing them from approaching the rig, the department said.
Despite the Chinese aggression, Viet Nam's fisheries surveillance ships had continued to maintain their operations at about 9-11 nautical miles from the rig to voice their protests and demand China's removal of the rig out of Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, according to the department.

NA informs partners

Chairman of the National Assembly's External Relations Committee Tran Van Hang has sent a letter to his counterparts in the parliaments of various countries to brief them on China's violation of Viet Nam's sovereignty in the East Sea.
In the letter, Hang thanked the parliaments as well as international organisations for raising their support for Viet Nam regarding the settlement of the issue.
He noted that since the beginning of May, China dispatched its rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 and a large number of coast guard vessels, warships and military aircraft and positioned the rig well within Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the East Sea.
"Peace, stability, security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea are being seriously threatened," read the letter.
The Vietnamese National Assembly and people strongly condemn China's violations of the country's territorial sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction, the letter stated.
The East Sea situation remains tense, with China insisting on continuing to claim sovereignty over Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf and realising its groundless "nine-dash-line" claim, the letter noted.
More dangerously, China has threatened, rammed, damaged and even sunk Vietnamese ships and injured Viet Nam's law enforcement officials and fishermen, it said.
In the letter, Hang also called on leaders and members of the parliaments to accompany Viet Nam's National Assembly and people to seek a necessary solution to the issue, protecting justice and preserving humankind's common aspirations of peace.
He said that any solution must adhere to international law and the principle of respecting national sovereignty of each nation, and maintaining peace and stability as well as maritime safety by demanding China remove its rig and forces from Viet Nam's waters immediately.
The same day, Hang also sent a letter to the President and Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, as well as leaders of regional and global inter-parliamentary organisations to inform them of China's acts and thank them for their support.

Continuing tensions

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the International Francophone Organisation (OIF) on Friday expressed their deep concerns about East Sea tensions caused by China's illegal dispatch of the Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig in Viet Nam's waters.
They called on all parties concerned to exercise the utmost restraint and settle the dispute by peaceful means and international law.
The Argentina-Viet Nam Culture Institute (ICAV) has expressed solidarity with the Vietnamese people over China's provocative acts in the East Sea, and voiced its hope that the current tension between the two countries will be settled through peaceful means.
In a message sent to Chairman of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations Vu Xuan Hong, ICAV Chairwoman Poldi Sosa Schmidt shared her deep concern about China's illegal placement of an oil rig inside Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, violating the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Schmitdt said that these acts showed that Beijing wanted to flex its muscles to the international community and seek control of the archipelagos in disputes with its neighbouring countries. However, such behaviour had incurred strong protest and condemnation from peace-loving people across the world, she said.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Secretary of International Relations of the Communist Party of Argentina Jorge Alberto Kreyness expressed his belief that Viet Nam and China would solve the dispute peacefully, on the basis of respecting international law, particularly the UNCLOS.
Ezequiel Ramoneda, co-ordinator of the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Argentina's La Plata National University, has advocated Viet Nam's stance on settling the dispute through dialogue. He commented that China's deeds were politically motivated and had escalated tension and instability in the region.
Juan Carlos Minghetti from the Centre for Economic and Social Studies said China's illegal placement of its oil rig and its dispatch of warships and aircraft showed that Beijing was seeking to address the dispute with a smaller country using military power.

Source: vietnamnews.vn/

China sends more ships to VN waters

Repair work underway on Viet Nam's Coast Guard's ship No4033. The ship is one of 24 vessels that have been rammed and damaged by Chinese vessels protecting an oil rig illegally placed in Vietnamese waters on May 2, 2014. — VNA/VNS Photo Tran Le Lam

HA NOI  (VNS) — Vietnamese Fisheries Surveillance Department (VSFD) staff yesterday reported high-capacity Chinese vessels in waters around the Haiyang Shiyou-981 rig, which is illegally standing in Viet Nam's waters.
They said the vessels had bulbous bows and were accompanied by two Chinese coast-guard ships. Together with Chinese fishing vessels, they kept on hampering Vietnamese vessels, occasionally throwing stones and bottles.
China still has a fleet of between 110-115 ships around the rig, including about 40 coast-guard vessels, about 30 cargo ships and tugboats, 35-40 fishing vessels and four military ships.
The Vietnamese surveillance department said Chinese ships continued to operate in groups to prevent Vietnamese law-enforcement ships from approaching the rig.
They blasted sirens, fired water cannons and showed they were ready to ram Vietnamese vessels any time, the department said.
However, Vietnamese law-enforcement ships persistently maintained their positions about 9-11 nautical miles from the rig.
Vietnamese fishermen continued to trawl for fish about 25-20 nautical miles from the rig, the department said.

VN mission replies to China 

Earlier on Thursday, the Vietnamese delegation to the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation in Geneva sent a note protesting against China's actions to other WTO and UN countries.
The messages updated developments on China's illegal placement of an oil rig and provocative actions in Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
The note demanded China immediately and unconditionally withdraw the rig and compensate for losses caused to the Vietnamese side.
The Vietnamese delegation rejected what it termed "false and fabricated allegations" from China delivered to international organisations and permanent delegations in Geneva on Monday.
The Vietnamese diplomatic note attested Viet Nam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago and completely rebuffed China's "illegal and groundless" claims of sovereignty.
It claimed that the installation of the rig and provocative actions by China in Vietnamese waters were serious violations of the sovereign right and jurisdiction of Vietnam, added that the actions threatened peace, stability and maritime security in the region.
The note highlighted the Viet Nam's goodwill in pursuing peaceful solutions on the basis of international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
It called on countries and international organisations to continue criticising China and support the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures and on the basis of international law, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS).
Late last month, Viet Nam's permanent mission to the United Nations asked UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to send a diplomatic note from the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry to the Chinese Foreign Ministry to mark the 68th session of the General Assembly.
The note protested at China's refusal to end violations of Viet Nam's sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone prescribed by the 1982 UNCLOS, to which both Viet Nam and China are members.

Indonesia steps in

In another development, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has called on foreign ministers from ASEAN member nations to convene a meeting ahead of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) in August to assess the increasing tensions in the East Sea.
According to a Philippine diplomat, the proposal was made amid China's increasingly aggressive moves to assert its sovereignty in the sea.
He said the August meeting was expected to be a special ministerial-level meeting that would primarily focus on the East Sea issue, adding that ASEAN leaders were being consulted to fix a date and venue for the meeting.
The diplomat said Indonesia backed the proposal, adding that the meeting will send a strong signal that ASEAN was very concerned about China's growing assertiveness.
He said ASEAN nations were seriously concerned about recent tensions between China and Viet Nam in the Hoang Sa (Paracels) archipelago.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario told press agencies earlier that Indonesia had offered to serve as a mediator in the dispute.

Source: vietnamnews.vn

Chinese vessels keep up pressure in East Sea

HA NOI (VNS) — China has shown no signs of stopping its aggressive actions around the oil-rig it illegally placed in Vietnamese waters a month ago, officials said yesterday.

Hundreds of Chinese vessels are used to protect the rig and attack Vietnamese vessels.
In the last four weeks, China had damaged a total of 24 Vietnamese vessels and injured 12 fisheries surveillance officers, Ngo Ngoc Thu, vice commander of Viet Nam's Coast Guard, told an international press meeting yesterday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Thu said China had maintained three layers of patrol vessels around the oil rig, which has been relocated but was still within Vietnamese waters.
He said Chinese ships kept close to Vietnamese ships, ramming them and attacking them with hire-pressure water cannons.
Tran Duy Hai, deputy director of the National Boundary Commission, said there had been 30 communications of various types with the Chinese, adding that the international community recognised Viet Nam's commitment to solving tensions peacefully.
According to the Viet Nam Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department yesterday, China has maintained 110-115 ships around the oil rig and dispatched two more military ships to within 15-20 nautical miles southwest of it.
On June 4 and 5, at least five Chinese ships fired water cannons at Vietnamese ships at close range, seriously damaging one of the vessels.
Ha Le, deputy head of the Viet Nam Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department, told the media normally a busy time for Vietnamese fishermen in the central region, who had to remain at sea for extended periods.

Hundreds of Chinese vessels are used to protect the rig and attack Vietnamese vessels. Chinese ships kept close to Vietnamese ships, ramming them and attacking them with hire-pressure water cannons. — VNA/VNS Photo Cong Dinh Huu Trung

Le said Vietnamese boats were now attacked by Chinese fisheries ships. Even their hauls of fish and equipment were robbed.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Le Hai Binh said Vietnam had sent three diplomatic notes to China's Foreign Affairs Ministry but received no replies.
Despite no response from the Chinese side, he said Viet Nam would adopt a peaceful stance.
Binh said he appreciated that the international community had condemned China's acts and hoped for more "strong voices and actions" from them.
Regarding the content of upcoming ASEAN meetings in Myanmar, Binh said apart from the ASEAN Community and regional trust-building and preventive diplomatic measures, the meetings would focus on the East Sea issue.
"Maintaining peace, stability, security and safety of navigation in the region is both the interest and obligation of regional and non-regional countries. So the East Sea issue and tensions in the region will be on the table at the meetings at an appropriate level," he added.

Source: vietnamnews.vn

Trawler captain: Chinese vessels out to kill

The wreck of sinking fishing trawler DNa TS 90152 was hoisted to the dock of Tho Quang shipyard, seven days after it was rammed by Chinese boats near the Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands of Viet Nam. — VNS Photo Hoai Nam

DA NANG (VNS) —  "It was brutal and inhuman, the piratic action of wild beasts."
This was how the captain of a Vietnamese fishing trawler, Dang Van Nhan, described the sinking of his vessel, DNNa 952, by Chinese boats near the Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands on Monday.
Ten crew members from the trawler were returned home safely to Da Nang yesterday.
"The Chinese crew left myself and the nine crew members swimming in the sea and they did not try to rescue us," Nhan said.
The fishermen were rescued by another Vietnamese trawler. They were towed back home in their half submerged vessel by Vietnamese Marine Police and Fishing Surveillance crews.
Captain Nhan said his vessel was fishing 17 nautical miles from the illegal Chinese oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 when a Chinese steel ship coded 11209 rammed into it from behind, causing it to topple and sink.

Huynh Thi Nhu Hoa, owner of sinking fishing trawler DNa TS 90152, in Da Nang city expresses her anger against illegal collision of Chinese on her boat near the Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands of Viet Nam.

Nhan, 41, and his crew fell or jumped into the sea, but were rescued by Vietnamese fishing vessels in the area. He said the incident happened at about 4am on May 26.
"We were trawling for fish when the Chinese ships passed us on the right side. The crew threw bottles at us and shouted loudly," Nhan said.
"We warned our men to prepare for a brutal collision, but a Chinese vessel travelling at higher speed rammed the rear left of our boat, capsizing it."
"It was brutal, inhuman - the piratic action of wild beasts without human manners. They intentionally set out to slaughter us. It was not an accidental collision.
"It was obvious the Chinese vessel was not for fishing and its crew were not fishermen. They did not even seem to have nets or fishing gear on board," Nhan said.
Le Van Ha, a crew member on the Vietnamese trawler, said the Chinese were heartless.
"I have been working in the Hoang Sa islands of Viet Nam since I was a teenager, but it was the first time I've seen an intentional collision," Ha said.
"They were not fishermen, but butchers on fishing boats. We have met many fishermen from different countries, but none of them have ever acted like that.
"Real fishermen will rescue crew members from any ship if they see them in danger," Ha said.

A 10-crew-member of sinking fishing trawler DNa TS 90152 return home safety three days after the attack. They were rescued by Vietnamese fishermen and their boat were towed back home in their half submerged vessel by Vietnamese Fishing Surveillance crews. — VNS Photo Hoi Nam

"The Chinese wrecked our trawler, destroyed our assets, fishing tools and nets. We lost everything."
The Vietnamese crew now face months without work.
Huynh Thi Nhu Hoa, 37, owner of the Vietnamese trawler, said she lost VND5 billion (US$235,000).
"We can't fish as our boat is almost a complete wipe-out. I also have to pay interest on a VND1.5 billion loan as well as salaries for the crew," she said.
"A new boat costs around VND5 billion ($235,000) and takes six months to build. We will miss the usual bumper catch of tuna in summertime.".
Hoa said that she had received VND800 million ($38,000) from donors from Da Nang and people throughout the country.
Captain Nhan and his crew said they would not stop fishing around the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes, despite the attack. "The islands belong to Vietnam. It's been the fishing ground of many generations of Vietnamese fishermen." he said. — VNS

Source: vietnamnews.vn

Overseas Vietnamese protest China's violations of sovereignty

Overseas Vietnamese in many countries around the world on May 11 took to the streets to protest China's illegal placement of an oil rig in Viet Nam's continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.

More than 500 Vietnamese students and people living in Japan gather in Tokyo on May 11 to protest the Chinese's Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig placement in the East Sea. — Photo Huu Thang

In Japan, they marched from Tokyo's Aoyama Park, bearing banners in Vietnamese, Japanese and English calling for China to remove the rig immediately.

Vietnamese people living in Japan march in Tokyo streets on May 11. — Photo Kyodo

Vice President and Secretary General of the Association of Vietnamese People in Japan Phan Huy Quoc said China's deployment of the drilling rig is the latest provocative move after many earlier acts, such as cutting exploration cables on Vietnamese vessels, burning Vietnamese fishing boats and detaining Vietnamese fishermen.

Banners are written in Vietnamese, Japanese and English. — Photo Kyodo

"Vietnamese people living in Japan are really angered by China's acts," he stressed.
Meanwhile in Berlin, about 5,000 people held a rally in Potsdamer Platz to oppose China 's violation of international law.

Thousands of Vietnamese people gather in Berlin to oppose China's violation of international law. — Photo Manh Hung

Speaking in front of the crowd, Le Hong Cuong, head of the rally's organisers, reiterated that China had positioned its rig in Lot 143, well within Vietnam's continental shelf and exclusive economic zone, before attacking and damaging ships from Vietnam's Coast Guard and Fisheries Surveillance Authority.
Hong stressed that Vietnamese people love peace, hate war and wish to maintain the friendship between the people of both sides. However, once their national sovereignty is threatened, Vietnamese people, wherever they are, will stand up to safeguard their nation.

Vietnamese people living in Germany carry banners in Vietnamese and German. — Photo Thanh Hai

Siegfried Sommer, Chairman of the German-Vietnam Association, who joined the rally, said China 's act in the East Sea is unacceptable as it runs counter to international law and causes insecurity in the region and the world.

Vietnamese people gather at the Chinese Consulate General in Frankfurt. — Photo Manh Hung

Earlier on May 10 in Frankfurt, hundreds of people also held a protest at the Chinese Consulate General. All the demonstrations took place in peace.
In France, Vietnamese people released a statement denouncing China's violation of Vietnam's sovereignty, following a meeting of representatives from many Vietnamese associations in Paris. They too demanded that China withdraw its oil rig and escort ships out of Vietnam's waters.

Vietnamese people demonstrate in Paris. — Photo hoangsa.org

The statement underscored that China's unilateral act seriously violated Vietnam's sovereignty, threatening regional security. It called for the international community to join together in opposing China's dangerous behavior in order to ensure a world of peace and sustainable development.
People in Singapore also showed their anger at China's act. They said they hope to get people around the world to understand the East Sea situation and recognise how Vietnamese people love peace and national independence and wish to avoid disputes.

Vietnamese people living in Czech demonstrate in front of the Chinese Embassy. — Photo Quang Vinh

On May 10, the Vietnamese Embassy in Mozambique held a meeting to update the Vietnamese community there on the current development in the East Sea.
Ambassador Nguyen Van Trung briefed them on China's brutal violation of Vietnamese sovereignty that defines international law.

Nearly 2,000 Viet Kieu gather in Praha to protest China's placement of oil rig in the East Sea. — Photo Quang Vinh

He made it clear that Vietnam's stance is prioritising dialogue and negotiations with its neighbours to settle disputes through peaceful measures, and pledged to continue providing fresh information on the situation.
During the meeting, the Association of Vietnamese People in Mozambique revealed that in the coming time, it will work harder to help fishermen in Ly Son Island and support the Coast Guard of Vietnam in safeguarding national sovereignty.

Source: vietnamnews.vn

Chinese vessels repel VN boats

Chinese ships have continuously encircled, constrained and driven away Vietnamese fishing boats and even injured Vietnamese fishermen, threatening their lives.— Photo vietnamnet

HA NOI (VNS) — China yesterday continued to maintain a fleet of 122 ships around the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 that it has placed in Viet Nam's waters, according to the Viet Nam Fisheries Surveillance Department.

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The department reported that together with four warships, 41 coast guard vessels, 16 tugs, 14 cargo ships and 47 fishing vessels, China also sent a reconnaissance plane to fly above the rig.
Chinese ships formed in groups of at least seven to hinder Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance ships, keeping them 10 nautical miles away from the rig.
The Vietnamese ship KN-630 was fired at with water cannons by a Chinese coast guard vessel, seriously damaging its equipment.
In addition, a group of up to 45 Chinese fishing vessels kept on disturbing Vietnamese fishing boats operating in Viet Nam's waters about 30 nautical miles from the oil rig, the department reported.
China kept a group of four ships on standby to chase, ram and fire water cannons at Vietnamese vessels.
Chinese fishing vessels followed and even used fishing nets to disturb Viet Nam Fisheries Surveillance ships, the department added.

China moves oil rig within VN waters

 

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel chases and threatens a ship of Vietnamese fishermen. — Photo VNA

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel chases and threatens a ship of Vietnamese fishermen. — Photo VNA

HA NOI (VNS) — China's oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 was moved to a new site yesterday, but it was still completely within Viet Nam's continental shelf, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

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The Vietnamese Consulate Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday summoned representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Ha Noi and handed them a diplomatic note protesting against all of China's recent actions.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh also issued a statement saying that the new position of the rig still violated Viet Nam's sovereign rights and jurisdiction.
Binh was responding to an announcement on Monday by the China Maritime Safety Administration that the rig had been moved from 15 degrees 29 minutes 58 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 12 minutes 06 seconds east longitude.
"Viet Nam resolutely opposes the action and requests China to immediately stop the rig's operation, withdraw it and escort service ships from Viet Nam's waters, and not repeat such acts," he said.
"Viet Nam has full legal foundations and historical evidence to assert its undeniable sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago."
Binh said China used force to occupy the Hoang Sa archipelago and its action violated international law.
He added that occupation by force could not establish China's sovereignty over the archipelago.
At 5:30am yesterday, the rig was moved four nautical miles east-northeast at a speed of 4.5 nautical miles per hour.
This was revealed by the deputy head of the Vietnam Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department, Ha Le, at a press conference in Ha Noi.
At 10am, the rig was anchored at a new site, 25 nautical miles east-southeast of Tri Ton Island in Viet Nam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, 23 nautical miles east-northeast of its previous location.
Vietnamese observation vessels have maintained their presence about six nautical miles from the rig.
Le quoted the fisheries surveillance force as saying that during the move, China kept the same number of ships, but they operated at a higher intensity.

Planes in action

Two Chinese planes constantly swept over the rig as it was moving.
China also deployed larger and higher capacity vessels operated by military and marine surveillance units.
The Chinese ships continued to ram and fire water cannons at Vietnamese vessels, pushing them far away from the illegal rig.
China's marine police patrol vessels, tugs and transport were divided into groups to get closer to Vietnamese law-enforcement ships, shoving them 10 nautical miles from the rig.
Chinese "fishing ships" hindered and threatened Vietnamese fishing boats operating 15 nautical miles from the rig. They also made a dangerous push against the Vietnamese boats.
China's warships also heightened their activities,even pointing naval guns at Viet Nam's fisheries surveillance vessels.

Harassing fishermen

Viet Nam has demanded Chinese vessels stop aggressive action against Vietnamese fishermen.
The Foreign Ministry said the Chinese had been chasing and threatening them with violence completely within Viet Nam's sea area.
"Once again, Viet Nam demands China stop its inhumane actions, endangering lives and damaging the property and legitimate interests of Vietnamese fishermen," said ministry spokesman Binh.
He asked the Chinese to respect international law, punish those responsible in earnest, pay adequate compensation and prevent a repeat of the behaviour.
Vietnamese agencies familiar with the situation have reported that since early May, many Vietnamese fishing boats have repeatedly been disrupted from their work and driven off by Chinese ships.
Chinese forces have also beaten and injured Vietnamese fishermen, threatening their lives.
Binh said the China's actions violated Viet Nam's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea.
He said it also ran counter to the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
At the beginning of May, China illegally placed the rig Haiyang Shiyou – 981 rig, as well as a large fleet of armed vessels, military ships and aircraft, at 15 degrees 29 minutes 58 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 12 minutes 06 seconds east longitude. The location was 80 nautical miles inside Viet Nam's continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.
Chinese ships have repeatedly rammed and fired water cannons into Vietnamese coast guard and fisheries surveillance ships performing law enforcement missions in Viet Nam's waters, leaving many Vietnamese boats damaged and officers injured.
World takes notice International news agencies and media yesterday posted articles highlighting the sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat by Chinese vessels.
France's AFP news agency reported that the attack occurred after the Vietnamese boat was encircled by 40 Chinese vessels.
The boat was sunk about 17 nautical miles southwest from where the oil rig was placed. Ten fishermen on board were rescued by other Vietnamese vessels.
The news agency also quoted Japanese Government spokesperson Yoshihide Suga as describing China's act as "extremely dangerous".
Meanwhile, Britain's BBC radio highlighted a statement by the Vice Chairman of Viet Nam's National Assembly, Huynh Ngoc Son.
He described China's ramming of boats as "terrorist attacks" aiming to intimidate Vietnamese fishermen.
The BBC reported that Viet Nam was preparing to take China to an international tribunal over the placement of the rig and the many ramming incidents.
The radio Voice of Russia and other major global news outlets, such as the US's Bloomberg, Australia's ABC and the Britain's Guardian, all highlighted the event.

Further condemnation

The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Viet Nam Youth Union (VYU) have called on organisations, individuals, political circles and peace-loving people throughout the world to continue requesting China to immediately withdraw its oil rig and surrounding ships from Viet Nam's waters.
In a letter released yesterday, VUFO expressed its concern about China's placement of the oil rig and a large number of ships and planes on Viet Nam's continental shelf.
It said that China's unilateral deed seriously violated Viet Nam's sovereign rights over an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf and ignored the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) between China and ASEAN nations.
VUFO also accused China of infringing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), saying that its move threatened peace, stability and security in the region and the world, as well as negatively affects the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
It expressed deep gratitude to the international community for their support and requested the Chinese side to respect international law and Viet Nam's sovereignty.
On Monday, the Viet Nam Youth Union also issued a statement protesting against China's acts.
The youth union requested China to remove its rig, strictly abide by international law, especially the UNCLOS, and not proceed with similar actions in future.
It called on youth organisations at home and abroad to support Viet Nam's agencies and fishermen and safeguard the country's sovereignty and legitimate interests in the East Sea.

Manila warning

President of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino, has warned that China's illegal placement of the rig showed that Beijing might seek to repeat the act in other waters in the East Sea, thus worsening instabilities in the region.
In an interview with Britain's Financial Times, Aquino said China was playing a dangerous game that could spiral out of control, hurting diplomatic ties and potentially escalating into clashes.
He added that what happened to Viet Nam might also happen to the Philippines. He urged China to stop unilateral actions that contravened the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) it signed together with ASEAN in 2002.
He said ASEAN members should present a stronger and clearer voice about how to resolve such disputes in line with international law.
Meanwhile, world commentators reiterated that Beijing's unilateral action damaged China's prestige in the international arena.
Hong Kong's South China Morning Post recently ran an article titled Beijing's dangerous arrogance in the South China Sea by veteran commentator Philip Bowring.
Bowring said China's behaviour towards its East Sea neighbours was aggressive and arrogant.
Sharing the same view, columnist Brad Glosserman said in the American publication The National Interest that China's prestige had suffered as it was now seen as the orchestrator of regional instability.

Source: Viet Nam News

Chinese vessels attack, sink VN boat

Vietnamese fishing boats operate in the country's fishing ground. A Chinese ship on may 26 sank a Vietnamese fishing boat with ten members. China violates the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the area where the rig is stationed is totally within Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. — Photo VNA/VNS

HA NOI (VNS) — A Chinese ship coded 11209 yesterday sank a Vietnamese fishing boat with 10 members on board. The incident happened in Vietnamese waters.
During regular operations in its traditional fishing grounds, boat DNa 90152 from Da Nang is reported to have been encircled by 40 fishing vessels of China and then being deliberately attacked by a Chinese vessel, 11209.
The incident occurred at about 4pm 17 nautical miles from where China's Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig has been sited.
The location is in the heart of traditional Vietnamese fishing grounds in Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
All 10 fishermen were rescued by other boats from Vietnam.
It was not the first time Vietnamese fishing boats have been attacked by Chinese ships in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, National Assembly (NA) deputies yesterday raised strong opposition to China's installation of the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.
On the sidelines of the assembly's seventh session, deputy Truong Trong Nghia from Ho Chi Minh City, said it was an illegal act and that Viet Nam had full legal basis to confirm its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.
He urged international judicial organisations, including the United Nations, to reject China's sovereignty claim over the archipelago.
"China's act violates the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the area where the rig is stationed is totally within Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf," he said.
Nghia said the NA, as the highest representative body of the people, would implement a range of activities to protect the territory on the basis of international law. He said this was aimed at forcing China to withdraw the rig and maintain a peaceful and stable environment for national development.
At the same time, he said that Viet Nam wished to preserve the traditional friendship between the two peoples.
Nghia added that the NA's motto of action reflected the will of the people, was in line with the real situation and was expected to have a positive impact, contributing to firmly defending Viet Nam's sovereignty and jurisdiction in the East Sea.
Chairman of the NA's Committee for External Relations, Tran Van Hang, said the complicated developments in the East Sea threatened peace and stability in the region.
He said the assembly's message represented the will and aspirations of voters nationwide and was in line with the Party and State's guidelines.
The message had also received support from around the world and that many nations had raised concern about the tension sparked by China.
Hang said that through Vietnamese embassies abroad, the NA should coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help other parliaments clearly understand the nature of the case, thus raising more voices against China's violation of international law.
On Sunday, Vietnamese communities in Sweden and Canada held rallies to protest against the oil rig.
About 400 Vietnamese, together with representatives of the Communist Party of Sweden, gathered in Malmo city to condemn China's moves.
Le Son Ha, chairman of the Vietnamese Culture Association in Sweden, said the demonstration aimed to show solidarity in denouncing China's violation.
Holding banners with messages in Vietnamese, English and Swedish, protesters rebuked China for violating Viet Nam's sovereignty in the East Sea through acts that have marred regional peace and security.
They also demanded China immediately withdraw its oil rig from Viet Nam's waters.
The organisers collected signatures on a letter to be sent to the Swedish Government and the European Union.
At the same time in Montreal, Canada, more than 100 Vietnamese people marched in front of the Chinese Consulate.
They carried placards declaring Viet Nam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes.
They called on the Chinese Government to act responsibly, respect international law and promptly remove its rig from Viet Nam's waters.
Two similar demonstrations are expected to be held in front of the Canadian parliament in Ottawa and the Chinese Consulate in Toronto.
On May 2, China illegally stationed the rig 80 nautical miles inside Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and 119 nautical miles from Viet Nam's Ly Son Island.
It has deployed a large number of ships to the area, including those from the military, coast guard, marine surveillance and marine patrol.
Chinese ships have repeatedly rammed into and fired water cannons at Vietnamese coast guard and fisheries ships, leaving many Vietnamese ships damaged and fisheries officers injured.

Source: Vietnam News 

Vietnam reports China’s violation of sovereignty to United Nations

The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday sent to the organization a report in which the mission demanded that China withdraw its oil rig from Vietnamese waters immediately.

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>> Attack from Chinese ship leaves 2 Vietnam fishermen badly injured

A China Coast Guard ship is seen near the Chinese drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou 981,

 which has been placed illegally in Vietnam's waters since May 2, 2014

The document also provided the UN with the latest developments related to the illegal operation of the Chinese drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou 981, which has been planted within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf since May 2.

The Permanent Mission of Vietnam also sent the report to the World Trade Organization, and other international organizations headquartered in Geneva.

Vietnam legislature denounces China’s oil rig deployment as sovereignty infringement

The Vietnamese National Assmbly (NA) strongly opposes China’s infringement of Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty and demand that Beijing remove its illegal oil rig from Vietnamese waters in the East Vietnam Sea immediately, the law-making body said in a statement released on Wednesday.

China eyes sovereignty when illicitly putting oil rig in Vietnam’s waters: experts  
Protesters request China withdraw oil rig from Vietnam’s waters

A Chinese boat is firing its water cannon at a Vietnamese fisheries 

surveillance ship in the Vietnamese waters where China has illegally placed 

its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 since May 2, 2014

China has violated Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its territorial waters by planting oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 in the sea area since early this month, the NA denounced in the statement.

The Office of the 13th NA, whose 7th session was opened on May 20 in Hanoi, said that the oil rig is located in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

The statement reiterated that Beijing has not only seriously infringed Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its territorial waters, but has also broken international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea to which China is a signatory.

Such an act by China has also gone against the mutual agreement between the high-ranking leaders of Vietnam and China, the statement pointed out.

It has caused tension in the East Vietnam Sea and posed a threat to peace and security in the sea area, the statement added.
Therefore, the NA, the entire people, and soldiers nationwide, along with the overseas Vietnamese communities strongly oppose to China’s infringement and demand China remove its rig from the Vietnamese waters immediately, the NA asserted.

The NA agrees to the Party’s and government’s policy to resolutely protect the fatherland’s territorial sovereignty based on international law, the legislative body said, adding that the policy is also aimed at struggling for peace and stability for the Southeast Asian country’s development and maintaining the traditional friendly relationship between Vietnam and China.

As the tense situation in the East Vietnam Sea may go on with complicated and unforeseeable developments, the NA calls on the government and the people to show their solidarity and unanimity, maintain political stability and keep social order and security, in order to contribute to boosting social and economic development, strengthening defense and security, and expand external relations of the country.

In its statement, the NA also expresses its gratitude to individuals and organizations, both at home and abroard, for their support to Vietnam in the current situation.

China has stationed its drilling platform at a location of 15°29’58’’ North latitude and 111°12’06’’ East longitude in the East Vietnam Sea since May 2.

The location lies well within the Southeast Asian country’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry said.
China has also deployed a large number of vessels including warships to guard the rig and many of these escort ships have rammed or fired their water cannons at Vietnamese vessels when they were requested by the Vietnamese side to leave the waters.

Such attacks have so far injured nine Vietnamese fisheries surveillance officers and damaged several boats, the Vietnam Coast Guard reported.

As the Chinese rig and its escort ships remain in Vietnamese waters despite strong opposition from Vietnam, Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh made a phone call to Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi on May 15, requesting that Chinese authorities respond to Vietnam’s demand that Beijing withdraw its rig from the sea area.

Source: tuoitrenews.vn

China Gravely Violates Vietnam’s Sovereignty in the East Sea

Recently, the domestic and international community has raised their voices to express serious concern and have protested China’s illegal action when it brazenly moved its Haiyang Shiyou – 981 drilling rig escorted by armed and military vessels and many airplanes to Vietnam’s water and installed the rig 80 miles into the Vietnamese continental shelf and exclusive economic zone prescribed by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS). China’s action gravely violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa Archipelago as well as the sovereign right and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf and directly threatens peace, stability and maritime security and safety in the East Sea.

The On-going Developments in the East Sea

On May 1, 2014, authorities of Vietnam detected Haiyang Shiyou – 981 drilling rig and three oil and gas service ships of China moving southward from northwest of Tri Ton Island of the Hoang Sa Archipelago of Vietnam. By 16h00 on May 2, 2014, the drilling rig was floated at 15o29’58” north latitude, 111o12’ 06’’ east longitude, south of Tri Ton Island, which is 80 miles into the Vietnamese Continental Shelf, 119 nautical miles from Ly Son Island and 130 miles from Vietnam’s coast line. 

Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh speaks at the internal press conference on China’s installation of
its Haiyang Shiyou – 981 drilling rig (referred to as HD 981 by Vietnam) in Vietnam’s waters. Photo: Thong Nhat - VNA
Deputy Chairman of the National Boundary Commission Tran Duy Hai answers reporters’ questions
about China’s installment of a drilling rig in Vietnam’s waters. Photo: An Dang - VNA

The map shows the position of China’s drilling rig in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

China's armed vessels aggressively fired high-power water cannons and intentionally rammed Vietnamese law enforcement ships.

A Vietnamese vessel’s damage is seen after the collision.

Repairing a vessel of Vietnam’s coast guard which was damaged by China’s ships.