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.
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| G7 leaders met in Brussels, Belgium, on June 4 |
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.
Source: VOV
