The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) has said China’s placement of its oil rig deep in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf is a wrongful act.

Speaking at a press conference on May 10 after the closing of the UN Vesak Day in the northern province of Ninh Binh, Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, General Secretary of the UN Vesak Day organising committee, said the act runs counter to international law and further complicates the situation in the region, threatening maritime security and safety in the East Sea which is not beneficial to peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world as a whole.

The monk emphasized that as a peace-loving nation which has suffered from many hardships and losses due to war, Vietnam is deeply aware of the significance and value of peace as well as fairness and justice.

In that spirit, the VBS called on all Buddhist monks and followers as well as peace-loving people world wide to raise their voice against China’s wrongful act, Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien said.

He went on to say that China should immediately withdraw its oil rig from Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, respect the right and interest of coastal nations in line with the provisions of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and fully and seriously implement the Declaration on Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea.

Disputes should be solved through peaceful dialogues, contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world, he said.-VNA