US Senators will ask China to 'de-escalate' in the East Sea

Senator Benjamin Cardin, Chairman of the East Asia-Pacific Subcommittee of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he will discuss with Chinese representatives at the Shangri-La Dialogue about the tense situation in the East Sea.

Responding to VietNamNet at a press conference today (May 28), Mr. Benjamin Cardin said that when attending the upcoming Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore, he will meet Ms. Fu Ying, Chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese National Assembly.

Senator Benjamin Cardin (left): China's unilateral and aggressive behavior is causing a highly tense situation. Photo: Chung Hoang

“Ms. Fu and I will be participating in a panel discussion at the Shangri-La Dialogue. We will have a private meeting to discuss security issues, emphasizing that in its pivot to Asia, the United States wants to create strong relationships with Asian countries, including China,” said Benjamin Cardin. “In my discussion with Ms. Fu, I will also emphasize the need for China to de-escalate the current situation in the South China Sea.”

Senator Benjamin Cardin and his delegation have just completed a visit to Vietnam with talks with President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh... on issues of cooperation between the two countries as strategic partners.

One of the prominent topics during the visit of the US senators was the tense situation in the East Sea after China illegally placed the Haiyang Shiyou 981 drilling rig on Vietnam's continental shelf and exclusive economic zone, as well as mobilized a large number of military and civilian ships to protect the rig.

“Maritime security is always on our minds. The United States opposes China’s aggressive and unilateral actions in the South China Sea. We believe that the issue needs to be resolved peacefully, that all parties need to refrain from aggressive actions, that the situation needs to be de-escalated, and that international forums should be used within the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). We also support ASEAN’s progress towards a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea,” Mr. Benjamin Cardin said at a press conference.

He emphasized that China's unilateral and aggressive actions are causing a highly tense situation, causing the United States to be concerned that it not only affects Vietnam's security but also affects maritime security and safety in the entire region.

A banner thanking US senators for condemning China's oil rig placement appeared at a march by Hanoi residents on May 11. Photo: Chung Hoang

On May 9, Senator Benjamin Cardin and five other senators issued a joint statement calling on China to refrain from provocative actions in the East Sea. This statement was approved by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and will be submitted to the Senate.

Regarding the latest developments in the Haiyang 981 oil rig area when a Chinese ship sank a Vietnamese fishing boat, Mr. Benjamin Cardin commented that "this is a dangerous, unilateral act by China."

“The incident did not occur near the rig but several miles away. This is unacceptable behavior that poses a great risk to property and life,” the US senator once again emphasized the need to “de-escalate the situation.”

Mr. Benjamin Cardin reiterated the US position of not taking a position on sovereignty claims, but opposing unilateral aggressive actions, and the countries involved need to resolve differences in sovereignty claims through peaceful mechanisms, reducing tensions instead of escalating.

According to Vietnam.net