International public
opinion share the view that the escalating tension in the East Sea can not be
ignored.
 |
| China's HD-981 oil rig, which is illegally anchored in Vietnam's waters. |
Defying objection from the
international community, China is continuing its misconduct in the East Sea and
distorted statements about Vietnam. To ease tension, the international
community has emphasised a legal solution and called on ASEAN to find a common
approach and get tougher against China.
On June 14, Gulf News
newspaper based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ran a commentary
stressing a legal solution for East Sea disputes. The article stated that it is
impossible to ignore the increasing tension in the East Sea.
According to the
article, serious clashes have risen between China and some other regional
countries, causing concern about economic cooperation in the region. The paper
underlined the need for a peaceful resolve to current disagreements through the
1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS).
At the recent 24th meeting
of States-Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS) in New York, Vietnam asked China to immediately withdraw the oil
rig Haiyang Shiyou- 981, escort its ships from Vietnam’s waters and settle
disputes through negotiations or any other peaceful means in accordance with
international law, including UNCLOS.
Ambassador Le Hoai Trung,
head of Vietnam’s permanent representative mission to the United
Nations reaffirmed Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel)
archipelago, refuting China’s fallacious view and distortion.
At the conference, many
countries, including Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia also expressed concern
about the complicated developments in the East Sea, calling on concerned
parties to refrain from threatening to use force and settle disputes peacefully
in accordance with international law and UNCLOS.
Meanwhile, the
international community continued to denounce China’s false claims about the
East Sea.
UK news agency Reuters
reported that a senior US official rejected China's claim that the country did
not dispatch military forces to the site where a giant oil rig was illegally
located in the East Sea.
According to the official,
China's claim is unpersuasive aiming to cover up its actions in the East Sea.
Dr. William Choong, a
senior fellow at the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) - Asia
said that before intention by China to extend sovereignty in the East Sea, it
is imperative to accelerate the formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea
(COC).
Mr. Chong also noted that
if there is no response, whether military or non- military reaction from
countries claiming sovereignty in the region, China will turn their intention
into reality and extend sovereignty in the East Sea. This will be detrimental
to regional security, which has been established on the basis of negotiations
and cooperation between China and Asian Pacific countries.
Source:
VOV
