As many as 31
Vietnamese, French and French-Vietnamese associations and organisations have
signed a petition expressing their concerns over China’s recent actions that
increased tensions in the East Sea.
The petition wrote
that the situation in the East Sea is destabilized by recent events threatening
the freedom of navigation, causing tensions and reducing opportunities to find
an international diplomatic solution.
The signatories
desired to extend a message of humanity to Vietnamese people, who have
tirelessly struggled for national independence, built a peaceful and stable environment
and protected territorial sovereignty within the framework of international
law.
The petition, then,
will be sent to Vietnamese agencies, including the Vietnam Fatherland Front
(VFF), Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), Foreign
Ministry’s Boundary Commission and State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese
Affairs.
The organisations
include the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV), Overseas Vietnamese
Association in France, and East Sea Group.
In her speech at a
plenary meeting of these associations and organisations, Helene Luc, Honourary
Senator and AAFV Honourary President expressed her concern about China’s
construction of reef islands, and asking the country to immediately end actions
that complicate the situation, and comply with the 1982 United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Source: VNA
