Vietnam has raised a formal protest against China, expressing its "deep concern". Hanoi denounces "serious infringements" of its territorial sovereignty and a "threat to peace". Beijing ignores the protest, instead charges the United States of being "real cause" of concern in the region.
Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Vietnam has raised a formal protest against China and the United Nations, saying it is "deeply concerned" about Beijing's decision to install air missiles on disputed islands in the South China Sea.
In a statement released yesterday, Hanoi's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hai Binh speaks of "grave breaches" of Vietnam’s territorial sovereignty in the Paracels, which constitute "a threat to the peace and stability of the region”, risking the "security, protection and freedom of navigation" and airspace
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The protest was raised at the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi and with the UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon. The question of the seas has been the focus of talks in recent days between Vietnam and the US, with the Asian country which called for "stronger action" from US President Barack Obama to contain China's expansionism. |
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has ignored the Vietnamese protest in turn charging the United States of wanting to "militarize" the Asia-Pacific seas, allocating patrol ships, aircraft carriers and cruisers in disputed waters, and promoting joint exercises with allies. Beijing sees this as a "real cause" for concern, because it leads to an "escalation of tension" in the South China Sea.
The Chinese government claims most of the sea (almost 85 per cent), including sovereignty over the disputed Spratly and Paracel islands, in opposition to Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia. In recent months, China has used various political, economic and diplomatic means to hamper non-Chinese vessels from fishing or moving through the disputed waters.
In recent years, Vietnam and the Philippines - which has taken its case to a UN court - have shown growing concern over China's "imperialism" in the South and East China Seas. For the United States, which backs the claims of Southeast Asia nations, Beijing's so-called 'cow tongue' line – which covers 80% of the 3.5 km2 - is both "illegal" and "irrational". Anyone with a hegemonic sway over the region would have a strategic advantage, in terms of seabed (oil and gas) development, but also in trade since two thirds of the world's maritime trade transit through it.