VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam will bring up China’s harassment and its
groundless U-shape line claims in the East Sea at the fifth meeting of naval
commanders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) or ANCM-5. Vietnam will solve issues by its own strength, says
Admiral Pham Ngoc Minh (left)
Minh said that recently complicated developments in the East Sea, for example
the Binh Minh 02 and Viking II (Chinese ships cut cables of Vietnamese seismic
survey ships in Vietnam’s continental shelf) cases as well as China’s U-shape
line claims will be brought up.
“Vietnam is the home country and in its report to the meeting, Vietnam will put
forward China’s cable cutting cases and its U-shape claims,” Minh said.
According to Minh, not only Vietnam but some ASEAN claimants in the East Sea are
worried about China’s U-shape line. The common viewpoint is solving the disputes
through peaceful negotiation, based on the United Nations Convention on the Law
of the SEA 1982 (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the
East Sea (DOC) signed between ASEAN and China in 2002. Vietnam will seek the
agreement of ASEAN for the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
“Vietnam’s goal is maintaining sovereignty, the sovereign right, the
jurisdiction and the peaceful and stable environment. Vietnam cooperates with
other countries on the stand of independence, not making military alliances and
not relying on any country to solve our issues,” the Admiral said.
He said the Vietnamese navy and the navies of other ASEAN countries have
cooperated in sharing information, combating pirate and smuggling, performing
rescue exercises, etc.
The Vietnamese navy has set up telephone lines with the naval forces of Thailand
and Cambodia, as well as implemented joint patrol for more than 20 times with
these countries. Vietnam has also had a telephone line with the Philippines and
is promoting joint patrol with Malaysia and Indonesia. It is scheduled to sign
with Malaysia and Indonesia on joint patrol this year’s end.
The ANCM-5 is one of the three important meetings in ASEAN military cooperation,
besides the meetings of leaders of ASEAN air-forces and land forces, to promote
actual cooperation among the ASEAN armies to cope with emerging security
challenges in the region.
With the theme “ASEAN naval cooperation for marine peace and security”, the
ANCM-5 will focus on two issues: security situation in the region, the role and
cooperative methods of ASEAN navies to cope with challenges and discussing two
initiatives of Vietnam, including orientation for naval cooperation and exchange
of young naval officers among ASEAN countries.
The meeting will be held in Hanoi from July 26 to 29. On this occasion, ASEAN
delegations will pay a visit to some naval units of Vietnam. Vietnam will also
conduct bilateral meetings with some delegations.
PV