(VOVworld)- The Vietnam History Science Association on Saturday released a Statement opposing China’s illegal placement of its oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone as well as its threatening actions against Vietnamese law-enforcement forces and ships in mission. The Association described China’s acts as brutal violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and invasion of Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone, according to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. China’s action violates the Declaration on the Conducts of Parties in the East Sea signed between China and ASEAN in 2002 and showed that China did not respect commitments that the two countries have made. China’s dangerous action also seriously impacts the maritime security and safety in the East Sea and interests of countries in Southeast Asia and the world. The Association resolutely demanded China withdraw its oil rig HD 981 and other vessels out of the waters that Vietnam claims sovereignty and jurisdiction over according to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the spirit of the DOC in order to restore peace, stability and maritime security in the East Sea.
Repairing Vietnamese ships that were attacked by China- Photo: ttxvn |
The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha on Saturday demanded China withdraw its oil rig HD 981 out of Vietnam’s sea. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, the Secretary General of the 2014 UN Vesak Day said that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha urged Buddhist dignitaries, monks, and nuns and peace lovers in the world to denounce China’s illegal acts.
Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, the Secretary General of the 2014 UN Vesak Day
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On the same day, the President of the Vietnamese Journalists Association Thuan Huu sent a letter to the President of the All-China Journalists Association resolutely protesting against China’s unilateral deployment of its oil rig HD 981 and a number of vessels including military ships to Vietnam’s sovereign sea. The Association asked China to immediately halt its illegal acts and move the oil rig HD 981 and other escort ships out of Vietnam’s sea and not to repeat similar actions.
Also on Saturday, the HCM City Lawyers’ Association organized a march to protest against China’s placement of its oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. About 1,000 people including intellectuals, scholars, ethnic minority people, religious followers, artists, students and young people in the city attended the march. Pham Duc Loc lives in Go Vap district: “We are very angry with China’s placement of its oil rig in Vietnam’s territorial waters. We love our country and are determined to contribute to defending the nation. We march in peace and want to show patriotism, love for peace and enthusiasm of young Vietnamese people to the world and China”.
The Ho Chi Minh City Lawyers’ Association also released a statement demanding China respect, abide by agreements reached between Vietnamese and Chinese leaders on resolving disputes in the East Sea and avoid similar actions.
Lawyer Nguyen Thuan, Vice President of Da Nang City Lawyers’ Association said that articles in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the See clearly stipulate the continental shelf of coastal countries. But the location where China placed its oil rig HD 0981 is completely within Vietnam’s continental shelf. Thuan said: “China placed its oil rig in Vietnam’s continental shelf. So, it brutally violated articles of the Convention which stipulate that one country is not allowed to place its oil rig in other country”.