(VOVworld)- China’s deployment of drilling rig HD-981 and a large number of ships including military ships in the oil and gas Lot 143 on Vietnam's continental shelf has been opposed by scientists and fishermen in Da Nang city. Bui Van Tieng is President of Da Nang History Science Association said that the deployment of the oil rig is illegal: “The location where China deployed its drilling rig near Ly Son island was in Vietnam’s territorial waters and belongs to Hoang Sa island district of Da Nang city. This is an undeniable and unarguable historical fact. Obviously, the deployment of China’s oil rig violates Vietnam’s sovereignty”.
Fisherman Le Van Ky, the captain of QNg 92479 fishing boat in Nghia An commune, Tu Nghia district, Quang Ngai province said: “This fishing area has been handed down by our predecessors. We have been fishing in this sea area for a long time. China is illegal to act like that. We strongly oppose it”
US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki- Photo: AFP |
Meanwhile, the international public continued denounced China’s provocative acts. On Wednesday, the US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki reiterated the U.S. view that China's deployment of an oil rig in a disputed part of the East Sea was "provocative and unhelpful" to security in the region. In a regular news briefing, the spokesperson said it was concerned about dangerous conduct and intimidation in the East Sea after reports of a Chinese vessel ramming Vietnamese ships. It called for restraint by all sides. She said: “We call on all parties to conduct themselves in a safe and appropriate manner, exercise restraint, and address competing sovereignty claims peacefully, diplomatically, and in accordance with international law”.
Many Italian scholars said China intentionally worsened the situation and threatened peace, maritime security and safety in the East Sea. They said Italy, as a member of the G7, needs to play a certain role in joining the international community to ease the current tension and resolve disputes in the East Sea according to international law.