The Vietnam Union of Geological Sciences (VUGS) and the Vietnam Cinematography Association (VCA) have strongly condemned China for the country’s illegal act of placing its Haiyang-Shiyou 981 oil rig in Vietnam’s waters.

In a statement issued on June 12, VUGS claimed that China’s move seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereign right and jurisdiction in the East Sea and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), of which both countries are members.

This also runs counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) signed between China and ASEAN member nations in 2002 and agreements reached between the two states, and negatively impacts on their traditional friendship and cooperation, thus raising tensions and threatening peace, stability and navigation freedom in the East Sea, the statement stressed.

VUGS affirmed the geological survey and resources exploitation activities performed by Vietnam in its exclusive economic zones and continental shelf are suitable with regulations regulated in the UNCLOS.
The Union also expressed its strong support for the country’s consistent stance in solving disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, saying that all demands without legal basis, particularly unilateral acts of using force by any country to infringe other countries’ sovereignty, are unacceptable.

It also called on its Chinese counterpart, the International Union of Geological Sciences, the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations and Chinese geologists to raise their voice to request China respect international law, contributing to preserving peace and stability in the region and the world.

Meanwhile, VCA’s statement the same day also stressed that China’s perverse move seriously effects the trust between the two countries.
The association said it vehemently opposes China’s deed and demands the country immediately remove its oil rig and surrounding ships out of Vietnam’s waters and strictly respect international law, especially the UNCLOS and the DOC.

It also urged its members and artists across the country to compose works to raise public awareness of sea and island sovereignty and vigorously hold China to account for its unlawful actions in Vietnam’s waters.

On the occasion, the association also screened two films on the theme of sea and islands, named “Nhung cot moc nguoi” (Human Landmarks) by director Minh Chuyen and “Bien cua nguoi Viet” (The Sea of Vietnamese People) by Dao Thanh Tung.-VNA