China's East Sea action condemned as “provocative”, “illegal“
(VOVWORLD) - Analyst Carl Thayer, an Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales has called China’s latest action in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) "provocative" and "illegal," saying it has no basis under international law.
 Emeritus Professor Carl Thayer. (Photo: VNA) |
He said China’s establishment of two districts in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and seriously weakens negotiations between China and ASEAN countries on a binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.
Professor Thayer said China’s acts go against the conditions of the 2011 agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Vietnam and China.