Live report: Vietnam holds int’l press conference on China’s illicit oil rig

May 15, 2014 | 16:48
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During the conference held in Hanoi at 3:00 pm on Thursday, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry answered questions from representatives of nearly 100 news agencies and newspapers in and outside Vietnam.

The event was organised amid tensions caused by China's placement of an oil rig in Vietnamese waters in the East  Sea since May 1 and following worker riots triggered by violent people as they have secretly joined peaceful protests against the Chinese placement in some localities over the past few days.

Vietnam strongly opposes China’s deployment of oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 in the Vietnammese exclusive economic zone which breaches the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea (DOC), Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said.

“Vietnam resolutely demands that China remove the oil rig and its escort vessels and aircraft from Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and not repeat similar actions in the future,” Binh added.

“On this occasion, Vietnam would like to give thanks to countries, individuals, organisations who have voiced their opposition to China’s acts as well as our gratitude to local and international media for their unbiased news reporting to expose China’s wrongful behavior,” he said.

* Has Vietnam reported the illegal Chinese oil rig placed within its exclusive economic zone to the United Nations? Will Vietnam bring this case to the UN Security Council if China keeps refusing to withdraw the drilling platform from Vietnamese waters? Does Vietnam support other countries to bring this issue to the UN Security Council?

Le Hai Binh: China’s acts have affected peace and stability while countries in and outside the (Asia Pacific) region are trying to put forward peaceful resolutions such as speeding up the introductio of the Code of Conduct in the East Vietnam Sea (COC).

In the meantime, Vietnam would like to affirm that we will use appropriate measures in line with International law. On May 7, Vietnam issued a diplomatic note that opposed China’s violation of Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone to the UN. We will take necessary action, depending on the situation. We have considered the solutions mentioned in the question and will adopt them in due course.

* What is Vietnam’s point of view when Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung is going to visit the Philippines while Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan will visit Shanghai, China?

Le Hai Binh: Up to now, Vietnam has remained faithful to diplomatic channels to deal with all issues. What the premier said at the 24th ASEAN Summit [that wrapped up Sunday] in Myanmar helped the world have a better understanding of the current situation

* What should Vietnam do to prevent aggressive acts from extreme patriots in some Vietnamese localities?  

Le Hai Binh: It is quite natural and legitimate that Vietnamese have expressed their patriotism and determination to protect their country’s sea and island sovereignty. But all people have to comply with laws.

* What is the Foreign Ministry's viewpoint on the violent behaviors of rioters in Binh Duong recently? Why did Vietnamese destroy the property of Taiwanese-owned companies while they were protesting against China? Does Vietnam have any plan to compensate for such losses?
 
Le Hai Binh: We would like to confirm that some people have taken advantage of peaceful marches to incite protesters to riot, cause public disorder, and instability in Binh Duong. Right after the incidents, authorities in Vietnam quickly cracked down on these lawbreakers. We would like to affirm that Vietnam will take all necessary measures to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises, including those owned by Taiwanese, in our country.

 

Tuoi Tre

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