During the early days of 2016, the security situation in the East Sea faces major challenges after China twice landed its flights on the airfields it illegally built on the Fiery Cross Reef of Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago. China’s actions have been strongly opposed by Vietnam and the international community. In addition to the construction of artificial islands in the East Sea last year, China’s recent actions have increased tensions in the region.
The East Sea issue remained complicated in 2015
In 2015 the situation in the East Sea changed dramatically due to China’s construction of large-scale artificial islands in the East Sea which faced strong international criticism. Speaking at an international workshop on the East Sea held in Vung Tau in November, Dang Dinh Quy, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam said: “Last year, the East Sea was peaceful and stable.
Though there weren’t any big storms, underwater waves were big. The world and regional community paid more attention to the East Sea because there was hidden instability that requires involved parties to practice restraint and show respect for fundamental principles of international law. Without responsible efforts by the international community, conflict could happen any time”.
In 2015 efforts were made to prevent conflicts and promote cooperation. For the first time in 9 years of discussions, ASEAN and China reached an agreement on Principles to Implement the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.
Vietnam, the Philippines, and China made several diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts. The East Sea and promoting peace, stability and development in the East Sea was high on the agenda of official meetings of ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partners. New cooperation mechanisms between armies, naval forces and law enforcement forces in the East Sea were discussed.
Vietnam determined to protect its national sovereignty and legitimate rights in the East Sea
Vietnam is determined to protect its sovereignty and legitimate rights and consistently pursues the principles of solving disputes through peaceful means in line with international law, the UN Charter, and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Vietnam protested the use of and threat to use force, militarization and unilateral actions which change the status quo and threaten security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, violate international law, increase tension, degrade trust, and affect peace, security and stability in the region.
Speaking at a recent banquet for ambassadors and representatives of international organizations to welcome the formation of the ASEAN Community and the New Lunar Year, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said: “Vietnam will do its utmost to work with other countries in the region to strengthen peace, stability in the region and the East Sea and require involved parties to fully abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea toward adopting the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea. We sincerely thank and call on the international community to support Vietnam and ASEAN’s efforts for peace and stability”.
Under its 2025 Vision, ASEAN aims to create a firm foundation and a strong driving force for its members to further growth and maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea is one of its priorities.
