China's construction in the East Sea (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The France-Vietnam Friendship Association, organisations of Vietnamese community and friendship associations with Vietnam in France issued a joint statement expressing support to the ruling on the East Sea issue by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the Netherlands.
The statement stressed that according to the PCA’s ruling, China has no legal basis to claim “historic right” over the so-called “nine dash-line” in the East Sea. Furthermore, China has caused serious damage to the ecosystem by intentionally changing status quo and massively building seaport and airport infrastructure in the area.
It also expressed strong protest against China’s illegal actions and claims and urged parties concerned, especially China and the international community, to commit to and act to enforce international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.
Disputes in the East Sea must be settled by peaceful means and negotiations in line with international law, absolute refrain from any threat or use of force, ensuring all parties’ respect to the PCA’s ruling, it said.-VNA
