Vietnam speaks out about Chinese Coast Guard's detention without trial

In the face of China's actions, Vietnam is determined to protect its sovereignty, national sovereign rights and the legitimate interests of its citizens in accordance with international law.

Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet at the press conference on May 23 - Photo: NAM TRAN

On the afternoon of May 23, at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, deputy spokesman Doan Khac Viet answered Tuoi Tre Online 's question about a new regulation related to the Chinese Coast Guard.

Vietnam determined to protect sovereignty

According to Chinese media, on May 15, the country's authorities issued a regulation that will take effect from June 15.

It allows the Chinese Coast Guard to impose detention of up to 30 days on foreigners who "violate or assist in violating" China's territorial waters or waters claimed by China without trial.

For complicated cases, the detention period may be extended to 60 days, after approval by the superior coast guard. The provincial coast guard has the right to approve the extension of the detention period on its own.

Philippine lawmakers and officials have objected, saying the rule would apply to the South China Sea.

On this issue, deputy spokesman Doan Khac Viet reiterated Vietnam's viewpoint and stance on the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos in the East Sea.

He emphasized that Vietnam has sufficient legal evidence and historical basis to affirm its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos in accordance with international law, as well as its sovereignty and jurisdiction over maritime zones established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"Vietnam is always determined and persistent in protecting Vietnam's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in its maritime zones, as well as the legitimate interests of Vietnamese citizens in accordance with UNCLOS 1982 and Vietnamese law," the deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed.

Protest China sending hospital ship to Hoang Sa

Also at the press conference, answering Tuoi Tre Online 's question about China brazenly sending a hospital ship of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to Hoang Sa, Mr. Doan Khac Viet emphasized: "Vietnam resolutely opposes all related activities that violate Vietnam's sovereignty."

Information about the operation of the Chinese hospital ship was revealed on May 21 on China Central Television (CCTV). The ship named Youai, belonging to an auxiliary ship squadron of the PLA Southern Theater Command, made a 600-nautical-mile, 7-day voyage to the entities in the Paracel Islands. CCTV did not specify the deployment time, but said the ship provided health examinations, diagnosis and treatment, and psychological counseling to Chinese soldiers illegally stationed in Vietnam's Paracel Islands.

The People's Liberation Army Navy's hospital ship Youai in an "unspecified" area of ​​the sea in this photo released in 2021 - Photo: PLAN

Also during the trip, the PLAN hospital ship conducted a series of training items including transferring injured people in emergency situations, performing first aid on the front lines and rescuing damaged ships, CCTV said.

China's Global Times later quoted Chinese military experts as saying that the deployment of the hospital ship showed that the PLAN was capable of providing medical support wherever it was needed.

Small hospital ships like the Youai have an advantage when performing missions on islands and reefs because the surrounding waters are often quite shallow.

"Living conditions on islands and reefs in the East Sea are challenging due to the natural environment and distance from the mainland.

"Therefore, it definitely has a negative impact on physical and mental health. Hospital ship visits can alleviate that impact," the Global Times quoted an unnamed analyst as saying.

The paper then hinted that China could permanently deploy hospital ships at some entities in the South China Sea to "provide emergency treatment in case of accidents with Chinese or foreign ships passing through the area."

However, as some international experts have warned, this could be China's "humanitarian supply trap" to promote its unreasonable claims in the East Sea.

The Paracel Islands belong to Vietnam's sovereignty, but have been illegally occupied by China using force since 1974. Despite Vietnam's protests, China has repeatedly blatantly reclaimed, built many structures, fortifications and carried out other illegal activities on entities in this archipelago.

Duy Linh - Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/quy-dinh-moi-cho-phep-hai-canh-trung-quoc-giam-nguoi-khong-qua-xet-xu-viet-nam-noi-gi-20240523144545893.htm