The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) on May 13 held a discussion on the recent developments in the East Sea with representatives from non-governmental organizations in Hanoi.

The event was attended by speakers and 300 delegates including representatives from organizations operating in Vietnam and domestic and foreign media agencies.

Speakers shared history, legal aspects as well as recent developments in the East Sea with special emphasis placed on China’s illegal installation of its drilling rig Ocean- 981 in Vietnam’s waters which is a serious violation of the sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Vietnam.

This move is illegal and goes against international law and practices, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and the agreements reached by the two nations’ senior leaders.

Le Van Cuong, International Relations researcher said never before has the international community took action against China’s violation as swiftly as this time.

Infringement of China has negatively affected political trust and aspects of cooperation between the two countries, hurting the feeling of the Vietnamese people, raising regional and international public’s deep concern about threat to the environment of peace and stability in the region and the world.

Consequently, NGOs called on all concerned parties to exercise restraint, persistently promote negotiations on the basis of respect for international law and issue a statement asking the UN and ASEAN to take measures to put an end to the dispute in the East Sea as soon as possible. 

China’s withdrawal of its drilling rig and escort vessels out of Vietnam’s waters will contribute to stabilizing regional and global peaceful environment.

Also at the meeting, many representatives and individuals signed their names in support of a statement on China’s illegal installment of its drilling rig and violation of Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.