VN rejects CNOOC’ international bids in continental shelf
VGP – Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Luong Thanh Nghi said on Tuesday that Chinese side’s bid invitation for nine blocks which lie entirely within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf is an illegal and valueless act.
Mr. Nghi made the statement in response to the announcement released on June 23 by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to open bids to foreign companies for these blocks.
“The area where CNOOC opens international bids lie entirely within Vietnam’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as stipulated by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This is absolutely not a disputed area.”
The Chinese side’s act seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereign rights, jurisdiction and legitimate interests as well as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to which China is a member State.
Vietnam strongly rejects and requests Chinese side to immediately annul the aforesaid wrong bid invitation, take no more actions thay may complicate the situation in the East Sea, strictly comply with the Agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues between Vietnam and China, observe international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, Spokesperson Nghi stressed./.
By Hai Minh
