China’s actions violate Vietnam’s sovereignty within EEZ: US House
China’s actions violate Vietnam’s sovereignty within EEZ: US Congressman
Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on July 26 (US time) issued a statement on Chinese interference in Vietnamese-controlled waters, in which he said China’s actions constitute a violation of Vietnamese sovereignty and its legitimate rights within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Chairman of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs Eliot Engel (C) in Washington, DC. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Washington (VNA) – Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the US Houseof Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs, on July 26 (US time) issued astatement on Chinese interference in Vietnamese-controlled waters, in whichhe said China’s actions constitute a violation of Vietnamese sovereignty andits legitimate rights within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“China’s recent aggression in the South China Sea (called the East Sea byVietnam) is a disturbing demonstration of a country openly flouting internationallaw. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, China’s actionsconstitute a violation of Vietnamese sovereignty and its legitimate rightswithin its exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” said the statement.
Since reports broke last week that Chinese oil exploration ships have enteredVietnam’s EEZ, Vietnam has made repeated requests for their removal—requeststhat China has willfully ignored. This kind of harassment is a threat toVietnam and evidence of China’s willingness to bully its neighbours, Engel saidin the statement.
“Incidents like this demonstrate China’s blatant disregard for internationallaw and diplomacy,” he affirmed.
He said he supports Vietnam and US regional partners in condemning thisaggression. The international communitymust continue to uphold the rules-based order and international law, he added.
He called on China to “immediately withdraw any and all ships from theterritorial waters of its neighbours, and to put an end to these illegalbullying tactics.” - VNA
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang reaffirmed on July 16 Vietnam’s resolve to peacefully struggle against violations of its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its sea areas.
Vietnam has demanded China to immediately end violations and withdraw all vessels from her waters, respect her sovereign right and jurisdiction, for the sake of the bilateral relations and for peace and stability in the region, said Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang on July 19.
The US Department of State on (DoS) has expressed concern over reports that China is hampering other countries’ oil and gas activities in the East Sea, and said its acts threaten regional peace and security, the Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
The 9th annual CSIS East Sea conference took place in Washington D.C on July 24, focusing on challenges in managing disputes in the sea and international interests related to the sea.
Vietnam resolvedly and consistently safeguards its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea as defined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) through peaceful means based on international law, the Foreign Ministry’s Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said on July 25.
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Chairman of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs Eliot Engel (C) in Washington, DC. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
