US Senate passes resolution on East Sea

The Vietnamese fishing boat No. DNa 90152 was sunk by Chinese ship in Viet Nam's waters - Photo: VNA

The resolution calls on China to withdraw its Haiyang Shiyou – 981 oil rig and associated maritime forces from the current positions.

It also reaffirms the strong support of the US Government for freedom of navigation and other internationally lawful uses of sea and airspace in the Asia-Pacific region.

On May 1, 2014, China’s State-owned energy company, CNOOC, placed the drilling rig, accompanied by over 25 Chinese ships, in block 143, 120 nautical miles of Viet Nam’s coastline, according to the Resolution.

From May 1-9, the number of Chinese ships escorting the oil rig increased to more than 80, including seven military ones, which aggressively patrolled and intimidated Vietnamese coast guard vessels, reportedly intentionally rammed multiple Vietnamese vessels, and used helicopters and water cannons to obstruct others. 

China’s territorial claims and actions have not been clarified under international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, constitute a unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force, and appear to be in violation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea./.

By Hai Minh