Philippines criticises Chinese military drills in East Sea
Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has raised alarm over China's holding of military exercises in the East Sea, saying the move could create tension in the region and impact Beijing’s relationship with its neighbours.
Hanoi (VNA) - Philippine DefenseSecretary Delfin Lorenzana has raised alarm over China's holding of militaryexercises in the East Sea, saying the move could create tension in the regionand impact Beijing’s relationship with its neighbours.
"Thatis very concerning. We view that with alarm," Lorenzana said at a securityforum held in Manila on July 2.
Earlier thesame day, at a regular press briefing of the Vietnamese Ministry of ForeignAffairs, the ministry’s spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said China’smilitary drills on Hoang Sa (Paracel) have violated Vietnam’s sovereignty overthe archipelago and run counter to the spirit of the Declaration on the Conductof Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
“The drillshave complicated the situation, which is unfavourable for the currentnegotiations between ASEAN and China over a Code of Conduct in the East Sea(COC) and the maintenance of peace, stability and cooperation on the East Sea,”she said.
She addedthat Vietnam has handed over a diplomatic note voicing its objection anddemanding China not to repeat such violation in the future./.
An exhibition of historical and legal evidence proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in the East Sea opened in the central province of Quang Tri on July 1.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said ASEAN and China had committed to continuing to step up negotiations over a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) during the 26th ASEAN - China Senior Officials’ Consultation, held via videoconferencing on July 1.
China’s military drills on Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago have violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelago and run counter to the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang has said.
The US Department of Defence on July 2 voiced its concern about China’s decision to conduct military exercises around the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago in the East Sea on July 1-5.
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Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
