US voices serious concern over East Sea situation

In its statement, the US Department of State said this incident is the latest in a long string of China’s actions in the East Sea amid the coronavirus pandemic.

It urged China to instead focus on supporting international efforts to fight the global pandemic.

Regarding this incident, a representative of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had a meeting with a representative of the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi and presented a protest diplomatic note asking the Chinese side to investigate, clarify and strictly handle the civil servants and the Chinese coast guard vessel causing the incident, not to repeat similar actions, and at the same time adequately compensate for the losses of Vietnamese fishermen.

On April 3, Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang quoted the country’s relevant agencies as reporting that the Vietnamese vessel, coded QNg 90617 TS, with eight fishermen on board, was fishing near Phu Lam island of Vietnam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago on April 2 when a Chinese coast guard ship hit and sank it.

She noted Vietnam has repeatedly affirmed that it has sufficient legal grounds and historical evidence testifying to its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes in accordance with international law.

Such an act by the Chinese coast guard ship violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Paracel Islands, caused damage, and threatened the safety of life and the legitimate interests of Vietnamese fishermen.

It also went against the common perception of the two countries’ leaders on the humane treatment of fishermen and the Vietnam-China agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, and was in contrary to the spirit of the Declaration on Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC). The move complicated the situation and was not conducive to the bilateral relations as well as the maintenance of peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea, according to the spokeswoman./.

VNA