Journalists Association protests China's violation of Vietnam's sovereignty

On May 10, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association Thuan Huu sent a letter to the Chairman of the All-China Journalists Association, expressing deep concern over the current tense developments in the East Sea due to China's unilateral deployment of the Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig and a large number of ships of all kinds, including military ships, to waters under Vietnam's sovereignty.

Repairing a Vietnamese Coast Guard ship rammed by a Chinese ship. (Source: VNA)

This action seriously violates Vietnam's sovereignty over its exclusive economic zones and continental shelf, violates international law and practices, negatively affects political trust and cooperation between the two countries that are developing healthily, and hurts the feelings of the people of the two countries.

The Vietnam Journalists Association resolutely opposes this act of infringement and demands that China immediately stop its illegal activities and withdraw the Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig and escort vessels from Vietnam's waters, and not repeat similar actions in the future.

The Vietnam Journalists Association believes that the friendly and cooperative relations between Vietnam and China are in the fundamental and long-term interests of the people of the two countries, beneficial to peace, stability and development of the region and the world, requiring goodwill and responsible actions of all parties on the basis of respect for international law, compliance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea between China and ASEAN countries and the agreement between the high-ranking leaders of Vietnam and China.

The Vietnam Journalists Association affirms that the efforts of the Vietnamese Government and authorities to protect Vietnam's legitimate sovereignty by peaceful means and promote negotiations with China to resolve the incident are completely in line with that spirit of goodwill and responsibility.

The Vietnam Journalists Association, representing the Vietnamese press, calls on the All-China Journalists Association and the Chinese press to fully understand the seriousness of the incident, the legitimate and just interests and correct stance of Vietnam, and actively contribute to building with the Vietnam Journalists Association to protect justice, protect peace and stability, maintain and develop the friendly relations between Vietnam and China for the benefit of the people of the two countries./.

According to VNA