In June 2012, the China
National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) illegally invited bids for nine oil
blocks off the coast of central Vietnam. China’s aims and strategies have not
changed as it wants to control the East Sea and then share the Pacific Ocean
with America.
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Chinese fishing vessels surround an illegal oil
rig
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Some experts have said that
China’s deployment of the HD-981 oil rig in Vietnam’s waters is a response to
US President Barack Obama’s visit to four Asian countries from April 21-29 and
an action to satisfy its thirst for energy.
In fact, the ability to
deploy an oil rig had been anticipated since 1992 when China signed an illegal
cooperation agreement with Crestone (USA) on the waters covering 125,000 km2.
This is the area of Tu
Chinh (Vanguard) Bank in the continental shelf of Vietnam which China claimed
as its Wanan Tan. This capability became clear when the HD-981 oil rig was
completed in 2011 and conducted the first drilling in May 2012.
The East Sea with its
strategic location - connecting two oceans, with abundant oil and gas
resources, natural hydrate and aquatic resources – has become the “hot spot” in
the game between the two superpowers, China and America.
The number of international
oil tankers passing through the East Sea accounts for more than half of the
world, three times more than the number of ships passing the Suez Canal, and
five times more than the Panama Canal.
China is the world’s
second-largest market for oil and gas, and oil is mainly transported across the
Pacific through the critical shipping lanes in the East Sea so China cannot let
the U.S. and its allies control its energy security.
China’s maritime security
strategy will only succeed if it has the East Sea as its backyard (core
benefits) to avoid direct competition with the U.S. and its allies - Japan and
South Korea - in the East China Sea.
This strategy is contrary
to China’s "peaceful rise" statement.
To soften that
contradiction, China has put out a policy combining the irrational “nine-dash
line” and the doctrine of “sovereignty belongs to China, setting aside disputes
and pursuing joint development".
The maritime activities of
China in recent years are part of a strategy of avoiding confrontation with
America, but taking tough actions against selective neighbors, which are
provocative enough to achieve China’s short-term goals but still not cross the
red line of war.
Maintaining the U-shaped or
nine-dash line as the basis for “setting aside disputes and pursuing joint
development" is one aim. China’s most modern facilities are tested in the
East Sea, from the Liaoning carrier to the HD-981 oil rig and nuclear-energy
fueled submarines.
Geopolitical decision
The next targets after the
HD-981 oil rig may be the Vanguard Bank, the nine oil blocks along the central
coast of Vietnam that the CNOOC offered invitations for illegal bids, Bai Co
Rong (Reed Bank), Bai Co May (Second Thomas Shoal), Tang Mau (James Shoal) or
anyplace within the U-shaped line. But the priority will be given to coastal
areas of other countries where the commercial exploitation of oil and gas has
been confirmed.
The deployment of the oil
rig immediately after US President Obama's trip to Asia is said to be China's
harsh reaction to the US, but preparation to deploy the oil rig and escort
vessels could not take place in several days.
The US’s response to
Russia’s annexation of Crimea has reinforced China's determination. The Asian
visit by President Obama was only the catalyst. The deployment had been decided
and is part of the long-term roadmap for acquiring the East Sea.
This was a geopolitical
decision and not merely an economic decision when China set the $1 billion oil
rig in the waters where the economic potential is unclear.
Anchoring the oil rig is also done to intimidate
countries in the region to not follow the Philippines’ decision to bring
disputes to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
Unfortunately for China,
the Philippines’ profile was submitted on time (30/3/2014) and was accepted by
the tribunal.
HD-981 is a conflict
between Vietnam and China but actually it a step in the struggle between China
and the US to find allies and satellites in and then control the East Sea.
Source: VNN
