Print article

MoFA comments on China’s oil rig move

VGP – Viet Nam requested China not to bring oil rig Haiyang Shiyou – 981 back or send any other rigs to Viet Nam’s oil and gas Block 143 or any otherareas belonging to Viet Nam’s waters as prescribed by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh.

July 16, 2014 3:04 PM GMT+7

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh

Spokesperson Binh made the point on July 16 in response to China’s oil rig move.

According to Mr. Binh, since May 2, 2014, China’s rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 and a large number of escort ships, including military ships, have violated the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Viet Nam;injured Vietnamese coast guard staffs; caused material loss for Vietnamese coast guard and fisheries surveillance forces and even even sank a Vietnamese fishing boat.

"Viet Nam has struggled to safeguard her sovereignty, and sovereign right  by peaceful measures,” Binh affirmed.

The operation of oil rig Haiyang Shiyou – 981 and escort ships over the past two months are totally illegal, violating regulations of international laws including the1982 UNCLOS, affirmed the Spokesman.

Viet Nam, said Mr. Binh, asks for China to respect  Viet Nam’s sovereign right and jurisdiction to her exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

The Spokesman confirmed that Viet Nam resolutely defends her sovereignty and sovereign right in conformity with international law./.  

By Kim Loan