The US State Department on May 12 highlighted China’s recent placementof its oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continentalshelf as provocative.
Secretary of State JohnKerry delivered the message in a telephone call with Chinese counterpartWang Yi, emphasising the US’s deep concerns over the recentdevelopments in the East Sea, according to US spokesperson Jen Psaki.
The official also urged both countries tode-escalate tensions, ensure safety for the vessels at sea, and resolvethe dispute through peaceful means in accordance with international law.
Commenting on the Chinese deed in Vietnam’sexclusive economic zone, Emeritus Professor at the Australian DefenceForce Academy Carl Thayer described it as unexpected, provocative andillegal.
In an article posted on The Diplomat,he said that the incident marks the first time China has placed its oilrig in the exclusive economic zone of another state without priorpermission. This was unexpected because Vietnam has not undertaken anyprovocative action that would justify China’s unprecedented actions, headded.
The professor stressed that theprovocative acts by China, including the ramming and firing of watercannons into Vietnamese coast guard ships, were dangerous and injuredVietnamese crewmembers, as well as violating international law.
Meanwhile, the New York Times quoted David Zweig, Director of theCenter on China’s Transnational Relations at the Hong Kong Universityof Science and Technology , as saying China’s aggressive stancetowards Vietnam could imperil Beijing’s diplomatic goals elsewhere inthe region.
The UK’s Financial Times commented that China’sacts have ignited a strong denouncement from Vietnam and damaged itsrelations with its neighbour.-VNA
Secretary of State JohnKerry delivered the message in a telephone call with Chinese counterpartWang Yi, emphasising the US’s deep concerns over the recentdevelopments in the East Sea, according to US spokesperson Jen Psaki.
The official also urged both countries tode-escalate tensions, ensure safety for the vessels at sea, and resolvethe dispute through peaceful means in accordance with international law.
Commenting on the Chinese deed in Vietnam’sexclusive economic zone, Emeritus Professor at the Australian DefenceForce Academy Carl Thayer described it as unexpected, provocative andillegal.
In an article posted on The Diplomat,he said that the incident marks the first time China has placed its oilrig in the exclusive economic zone of another state without priorpermission. This was unexpected because Vietnam has not undertaken anyprovocative action that would justify China’s unprecedented actions, headded.
The professor stressed that theprovocative acts by China, including the ramming and firing of watercannons into Vietnamese coast guard ships, were dangerous and injuredVietnamese crewmembers, as well as violating international law.
Meanwhile, the New York Times quoted David Zweig, Director of theCenter on China’s Transnational Relations at the Hong Kong Universityof Science and Technology , as saying China’s aggressive stancetowards Vietnam could imperil Beijing’s diplomatic goals elsewhere inthe region.
The UK’s Financial Times commented that China’sacts have ignited a strong denouncement from Vietnam and damaged itsrelations with its neighbour.-VNA
