Paris (VNA) - 𓃲Many international researchers said China’s claims of sovereignty in the East Sea is groundless and has no legal and historical foundation.
General Daniel Schaeffer, former advisor of the French Defence Minister and an expert on the East Sea, told Vietnam News Agency’s Paris-based correspondents on November 9 that China’s interpretation of international maritime law is illogical.
Beijing has deliberately violated the law or sought ways to take advantage of legal loopholes, he said.
China has never made public specific historical evidence proving its continuous management over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes before Hoang Sa and part of Truong Sa were illegally occupied by the country, the expert noted.
In fact, China used forces to take over the archipelagoes, which runs counter to the UN Charter, he said.
General Shaeffer also spoke highly of Vietnam’s stance on the case filed by the Philippines contesting China’s claims to disputed areas in the East Sea to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
He stressed Vietnam’s statement of interest which was submitted to the PCA in December 2014 has provided additional information for the court to handle the case with more accuracy.
The neutralisation of the “nine-dash line” will benefit not only regional countries but also the international community as the East Sea is an open sea and an important sea route. It will also open up prospects for the settlement of disputes and the demarcation of sovereignty in the region, he said.
Meanwhile, Bruno Hellendorff from the Belgium-based Group for Research and Information on Peace and Security ( GRIP ) hailed Vietnam’s organisation of recent workshops on the East Sea as well as the more active participation of Vietnamese scholars and leaders in East Sea-related international seminars.
Eric Mottet, a professor from Canada’s Quebec University and an expert of the Research Institute on Contemporary Southeast Asia ( IRASEC) pointed out China’s contrary signals.
On one hand, China carries out bilateral diplomatic policies to enhance friendly exchanges, especially those in the economic field, with Vietnam. On the other hand, it shows an aggressive attitude towards issues related to sovereignty of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.
Vietnam should promote multi-polar initiatives for the region and increase ASEAN’s solidarity towards constructive partnerships that benefit all parties, he said.-VNA
Vietnam once again requests China respect its sovereignty and international law, abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and immediately stop wrongful actions.
Leaders from a number of countries in Asia-Pacific have raised their voices to affirm their countries’ respect for the right of aviation and navigation freedom in the East Sea.
The Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration on October 29 stated that it has jurisdiction over a case filed by the Philippines contesting China’s claims to disputed areas in the East Sea.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
The General Secretary underlined the resolve to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025, laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the following period. He noted that these are mandatory targets, with no alternative path to success.
Restructuring and improving the quality of officials, civil servants, and public employees is no longer a choice, but an urgent requirement to transition from administrative management to governance in service of the people.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has advised Vietnamese people living there to proactively prepare and seek ways to leave the country via land border crossings, especially toward Jordan or Egypt, when security and safety conditions allow.
General Daniel Schaeffer (Source: VNA)
