The world community has continued its protest against China over its placement of drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone in the East Sea.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Paris on May 11, former French military attaché in Vietnam and China Daniel Schaefffer noted that the act is beyond China’s authority and a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty.

He described this as a new step in China’so-called “nine-dot” scheme to take over the East Sea.

The same day, a specialist from the Russian Council of Foreign Affairs Anton Svetov shared that the violation was a carefully-hatched plan, considering the size of the fleet placed in the area, especially when compared with its other similar acts in the past.

Vladimir Kolotov, Director of the Far East History Department from the Saint Petersburg State University made it clear that China’s aggression at Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos is triggering tension and undermining trust in the region.

Meanwhile, a senior scholar from the Russian Institute of Oriental Studies Dmitry Mosyakov raised concerns that China is damaging efforts to foster its friendship with Vietnam and other countries.

In Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson as saying that the country is calling on all parties concerned to exercise restraint and stop escalating the tension.-VNA