US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega has strongly condemned China forviolating Vietnam’s sovereignty in the East Sea and called uponthe US to make a clear and decisive response to China's acts.
In his press release issued on May 8, EniFaleomavaega, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommitteeon Asia and the Pacific, which has broad jurisdiction for US policyaffecting the region, including Vietnam and China, strongly criticisedChina for its May 2 placement of an oil drilling rig in Vietnamesewaters and deployment of dozens of naval vessels to support thisprovocative action.
On May 3 and May 5, Chinaissued notices banning all vessels from entering the area and statingthat the rig will conduct exploratory drilling, he said.
“Hai Yang Shi You 981 is anchored within the Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ) and continental shelf of Vietnam, about 120 nautical miles fromLy Son island of Vietnam,” he affirmed.
Heexpressed thank to US Senator John McCain for his leadership inunequivocally stating that China’s territorial claims to thesewaters have no basis in international law.
“Simply put,China’s provocative actions are an escalation of its intent to threatenpeace and maritime security in the East Sea,” he stressed.
The press release also listed a series of China’s other provocativeacts in the East Sea, including the escalation of its claims of the‘nine-dash line’ since 2009, the cutting of the cables of Vietnam’s‘Binh Minh II’ and ‘Viking II’ ships in May and June 2011, and theestablishment of the so-called “Sansha City” in June 2012.
China has also implemented measures to enforce ‘Fishery Law of thePeople’s Republic of China’ (entering into force since January 2014),enhanced oil explorations in disputed areas, attacked Vietnamese fishingvessels, launched patrol boats, and conducted military exercises in theEast Sea to flex its power and deter other claimants, it said.-VNA
In his press release issued on May 8, EniFaleomavaega, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommitteeon Asia and the Pacific, which has broad jurisdiction for US policyaffecting the region, including Vietnam and China, strongly criticisedChina for its May 2 placement of an oil drilling rig in Vietnamesewaters and deployment of dozens of naval vessels to support thisprovocative action.
On May 3 and May 5, Chinaissued notices banning all vessels from entering the area and statingthat the rig will conduct exploratory drilling, he said.
“Hai Yang Shi You 981 is anchored within the Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ) and continental shelf of Vietnam, about 120 nautical miles fromLy Son island of Vietnam,” he affirmed.
Heexpressed thank to US Senator John McCain for his leadership inunequivocally stating that China’s territorial claims to thesewaters have no basis in international law.
“Simply put,China’s provocative actions are an escalation of its intent to threatenpeace and maritime security in the East Sea,” he stressed.
The press release also listed a series of China’s other provocativeacts in the East Sea, including the escalation of its claims of the‘nine-dash line’ since 2009, the cutting of the cables of Vietnam’s‘Binh Minh II’ and ‘Viking II’ ships in May and June 2011, and theestablishment of the so-called “Sansha City” in June 2012.
China has also implemented measures to enforce ‘Fishery Law of thePeople’s Republic of China’ (entering into force since January 2014),enhanced oil explorations in disputed areas, attacked Vietnamese fishingvessels, launched patrol boats, and conducted military exercises in theEast Sea to flex its power and deter other claimants, it said.-VNA
