Vietnamese American
scholars have proclaimed that China's actions are a serious and unremitting
violation of international law.
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| A Chinese ship firing water cannons at Vietnam’s HP926 fisheries surveillance ship |
In addition to continuing
with peaceful means of amicably resolving the dispute through diplomacy they
also have suggested that Vietnam seek relief through the international legal
system from an appropriate International Tribunal, noting Vietnam’s stance is
receiving widespread support from the public at home and abroad.
Vietnamese experts and
scholars at Harvard University and University of Massachusetts-Boston regard
China’s illegal placement of Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic
zone, a serious and ongoing breach of international law. They also voiced
high appreciation for counter measures that Vietnam has taken.
Dr. Ngo Nhu Binh, Head of
Vietnamese program of East Asian Languages and Civilizations Department at
Harvard University said: "China has a big ambition in the East Sea and its
scheme to legalize nine-dash line is a clear expression of its ambition for
territorial expansionism”
“Now is the right time for
Vietnam to bring the case to the International Tribunal.” Binh noted.
Dr. Ta Van Tai, a lawyer
and former lecturer at Harvard University said Vietnam can sue China to the
International Tribunal and to do this, Vietnam needs to thoroughly prepare
legal evidence.
Researcher Nguyen Ba Chung
from University of Massachusetts-Boston said that the Vietnamese government’s
clear view has got support from the Vietnamese community around the globe.
The media in the
Philippines on May 25 ran a speech related to East Sea tensions by Commander of
the US Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Locklear.
Speaking on the sidelines
of the recent World Economic Forum on East Asia (WEF East Sea) in the
Philippines, Admiral Locklear urged Vietnam and China refrain to avoid major
conflicts in the East Sea.
Locklear said the US is
deeply concerned about tensions between Vietnam and China on East Sea issue as
tensions run high risk of miscalculation, noting that the resolution of
territorial disputes must be based on international law.
In response to a question
about the prospect for the establishment of a strategic partnership between
Vietnam and the US, Admiral Locklear confirmed Vietnam is included in the list
of countries that the US wants to strengthen ties.
Source: VOV/VNN
