China’s Central Military Commission on July 19 approved the formation and deployment of a military garrison command of the so-called Sansha in the Phu Lam Island in the Paracel. On July 21, the Chinese side held the election of deputies of the first People’s Congress of the so-called Sansha.
On July 24, the Vietnamese spokesman said China’s above-mentioned activities seriously violated international laws and Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two archipelagoes of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa, and are worthless.
China’s activities run counter to the consensus reached by high-ranking leaders of the two countries, violate the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Vietnam and China signed in October 2011, go against the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) signed in 2002 by the ASEAN and China, and make the East Sea situations more complicated.
Vietnam resolutely opposes the above-mentioned activities of China, and demands China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty, and immediately stop and cancel the wrongful activities, making practical contribution to developing the Vietnam-China friendship and cooperation as well as maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 24sent a dispatch of protest to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the same day, Chairman of Da Nang People’s Committee Van Huu Chien and Chairman of Khanh Hoa People’s Committee Nguyen Chien Thang issued statements on the issue.
The statements say that authorities and people of Da Nang City and Khanh Hoa Province deeply concerned and dissatisfied at the Chinese Central Military Commission’s official decision to form a garrison command of the so-called Sansha city on July 19 and China’s organisation of the election of the first Municipal People’s Congress of the so-called Sansha city on July 21, they said.
Da Nang city and Khanh Hoa Province strongly oppose and request China immediately stop activities violating international law and Vietnam’s law, blocking joint efforts to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea and damaging the two peoples’ friendship
By Ngoc Van