US concerned about China's obstruction of Vietnam's oil and gas exploitation activities
The US State Department said China's actions have called into question Beijing's commitments to peaceful solutions to maritime disputes.
On August 22, the US State Department expressed deep concern about China's interference in Vietnam's oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities, after the Chinese survey ship Haiyang 8 returned to Vietnam's exclusive economic zone.
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| Coast Guard ship 8001 on duty at DK1/15 platform area. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA) |
The US State Department's statement stressed that China's actions have called into question Beijing's commitments regarding peaceful solutions to maritime disputes.
According to the US State Department, China's redeployment of a government-owned survey vessel and armed escorts into Vietnamese waters on August 13 was "an escalation by Beijing in its efforts to intimidate other claimant states from exploiting resources in the South China Sea."
Earlier the same day, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also requested China to immediately end its violations and withdraw all vessels from Vietnam's exclusive economic zone.
Responding to reporters at a regular press conference of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang stated that in recent days, the Chinese survey ship Haiyang 8 has returned, continuing its serious violations of Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as determined by the provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Vietnam has repeatedly communicated with China on this issue, demanding that China immediately end its violations, withdraw all ships from Vietnam's exclusive economic zone, and refrain from actions that increase tensions, complicate the situation, or threaten peace, stability, and security in the East Sea as well as in the region.
Vietnam's maritime authorities continue to enforce and protect Vietnam's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in accordance with international law and Vietnamese law.
Determined to protect its legitimate rights and interests and contribute to regional and international peace, stability and security, Vietnam is always ready to resolve disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law.
Vietnam calls on relevant countries and the international community to make active and practical contributions to maintaining order, peace, and security in the region; security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation; and respect the principle of the rule of law in the East Sea, in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea./.
