China 'says one thing, does another'

Regarding the incident in which the Chinese survey ship Haiyang 8 violated Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the southern East Sea, Major General Vu Quang Dao, former Director of the Vietnam Military History Institute, said: This is an extremely sensitive and complicated issue. On China's side, this is not the first time it has violated Vietnam's rights, sovereignty, and jurisdiction in the sea area as stipulated in international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Vietnam's statement on the issue is based on history and international law. China's actions go against the issues that the two sides' senior leaders have agreed on - to resolve all issues and disputes in accordance with international law through diplomatic channels.

Militia fishing boats accompany and protect the Chinese ship Haiyang Dizhi 8 which is conducting illegal surveys near Tu Chinh Shoal.

Photo: Provided by fishermen

This is somewhat similar to the time when China's Haiyang Shiyou 981 drilling rig entered Vietnam's waters in 2014. This is a reality that not only Vietnam protested but also caused anxiety and concern among many countries in the Southeast Asian region, countries related to the East Sea, and even major countries related to maritime affairs in the region, especially the US. Therefore, the international community also spoke out a lot. On Vietnam's side, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs repeatedly made clear statements about the country's stance.

Regarding the current policy and position of Vietnam, it is no longer the same as before. Every behavior and action of Vietnam today has a great influence on the region and the world, especially when Vietnam has just been elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Therefore, Vietnam advocates affirming its rights, sovereignty, and jurisdiction over the sea area that Vietnam affirms has a legal basis, is based on international law, and is recognized by the international community. On the other hand, Vietnam still demands that China immediately stop those actions.

"Say one thing, do another"

* You said this is not the first time China has violated Vietnam's waters. But in your opinion, is this time different from the previous times because the Chinese survey ship Haiyang 8 has violated Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the southern area of ​​the East Sea?

- Major General Vu Quang Dao : If we compare China's actions towards Vietnam and Vietnam's seas today with those in the past, it seems that China consistently "says one thing and does another"... We need to clarify this so that the world, public opinion in China and public opinion in the region can clearly perceive the nature, words and actions of China towards Vietnam.

Furthermore, their actions are increasingly tense, more sinister, more cunning and tend to move forward rather than backward. Not only the drilling rig incident, but they also build artificial islands, build airports, and military bases on artificial islands. It is clear that with those actions, China is militarizing the East Sea and using military power, using the power of the Chinese navy to oppress other nations, including Vietnam. We need to make that clear to the international people, especially the people of the countries in the region, and the Chinese people themselves must also demonstrate that.

China is going deeper and more dangerously. We not only protested like every other time, but this time we protested more fiercely and more quickly. We have already fought internationally. On other issues, the high-ranking leaders of the two countries will still have to meet and talk, and I think we have been frank and have spoken out about the issues that we cannot accept regarding China's actions. Only then can we protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country, protect our freedom and independence. The most important thing is to protect the peaceful environment for the country to take off and develop.

Do not let go of the sovereignty of the Fatherland

* China has always been consistent in its policy, especially in the East Sea, which is to turn non-disputed areas into disputed areas and then use military force to provoke and expand, asserting unreasonable sovereignty. How do you assess this issue and in your opinion, what policies and actions does Vietnam need at this time to both protect sovereignty and protect a peaceful environment, build and develop the country?

- If we say that China has that policy, we need to study it. But clearly in places where there are disputes, China always shows its military strength. That is consistent with their current viewpoint of wanting to rise to the number 1 position in the world, not just number 2, both economically and militarily. And along with that, they want to put pressure on the world with political and diplomatic views. This has met with reactions not only from Vietnam but also from many countries in the region and internationally. Therefore, the strength to fight against China's militarization trend in the East Sea and in other regions, we clearly do not only rely on a military force, but we must firmly grasp our viewpoint of justice... Maybe at first this force or that force will not admit it, but history is still history and will have to admit Vietnam's justice.

Location map of Tu Chinh beach

Source UNCLOS-CIA/Graphics: Bao Vinh

Currently, the context and conditions have changed, but Vietnam's consistent goal is independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity as a method and specific goal that needs to be studied and must be tactful in the implementation process. However, tactfulness does not mean abandoning or neglecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland and the people. That is our point of view. Therefore, the strength to protect the Fatherland now is not simply a military issue but also political and diplomatic strength and to some extent, economic and social strength. Vietnam currently has the 13th largest population in the world and the 3rd largest in Southeast Asia. Vietnam's economic position not only expands business with China but also with many other countries, most recently the Vietnam - EU Trade Agreement is considered a "highway" connecting Vietnam with Europe. This is a huge advantage and if Vietnam can promote this advantage, other countries must be cautious in putting pressure on Vietnam, including economic pressure.

Currently, Vietnam's top priority is to develop its economy, culture and society to use that as a strength to protect the Fatherland not only with material strength but also with spiritual strength, with Vietnam's position in the international arena. When Vietnam has a position in terms of economy and society, and Vietnam is a powerful country, other countries will have to acknowledge the issues that Vietnam has declared and raised. That is the way to protect the Fatherland in the new situation.

With justice, Vietnam will receive international support.

* So the encroachment of the Haiyang 8 survey ship shows that China will never give up its claims and ambitions regarding the "cow tongue line" in the East Sea?

- China wants to stand up, become the leading position, the number 1 position leading the world according to its point of view, but whether their flag is righteous and can gather international forces or not is another matter. It is not true that just because they are economically strong, they can command other countries.

US, Japanese, Indian, Philippine ships conduct maritime security drills in the East Sea in May

Vietnam's experience shows that if we have a just cause, sooner or later public opinion will support it. Of course, each method has a price to accept and requires scientific, detailed, careful calculations and puts national interests, independence and sovereignty first. This independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity will create a peaceful and stable environment for Vietnam domestically as well as at sea, domestically, regionally and internationally to continue to attract investment, or in other words, to have support and close economic relations with the world. And once Vietnam has those relations, it is clear that China's actions not only affect Vietnam's interests but also the interests of countries that are doing business with Vietnam. Therefore, indirectly, Vietnam has gathered international forces to stand on its side in all matters, including the East Sea issue.

Thank you!

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thieu-tuong-vu-quang-dao-trung-quoc-noi-mot-dang-lam-mot-neo-185869148.htm