Vietnam speaks out about Chinese and Philippine ships colliding in the East Sea

The message was given by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang on June 21, when answering a reporter's question asking about Vietnam's reaction to the collision between a Chinese ship and a Philippine supply ship at Second Thomas Shoal, which took place on June 17.

Accordingly, Ms. Hang emphasized that Vietnam closely monitors and is deeply concerned about information about the incident that took place on June 17 in the area of ​​the Second Thomas Shoal between the Philippines and China.

Vietnam requests that relevant parties exercise maximum restraint, act in accordance with international law, and respect the sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of coastal states established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Along with that, seriously and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), respect and comply with international regulations on maritime and aviation safety, collision prevention at sea, resolve disputes and differences by peaceful means, and actively contribute to maintaining peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.

Chinese vessels, including a coast guard vessel, blocked a Philippine supply boat approaching Second Thomas Shoal on June 17 (Photo: CCTV).

Earlier on June 17, the Chinese coast guard said a Philippine supply ship "intentionally and dangerously" approached a Chinese vessel, leading to a minor collision between the two sides, after the Philippine ship entered waters near the Second Thomas Shoal in Vietnam's Spratly Islands in the East Sea.

The Philippines has rejected China's accusations as "false and misleading".

The Chinese Coast Guard said the Philippine supply ship ignored repeated Chinese warnings. Meanwhile, the Philippine task force in the South China Sea said the Chinese vessels rammed and dragged, endangering the lives of military personnel and damaging boats.

"China's dangerous and reckless behavior will be resisted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. China's actions pose a real obstacle to peace and stability in the South China Sea," Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said.

The Philippine military has reinforced the BRP Sierra Madre ship that ran aground on the Second Thomas Shoal, part of Vietnam's Spratly Islands, since 1999.

The BRP Sierra Madre was a 100m-long landing ship that belonged to the US Navy during World War II. It was later transferred to the Philippines, and the Philippine Navy intentionally ran it aground on the Second Thomas Shoal, turning it into an illegal military outpost.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/viet-nam-len-tieng-vu-tau-trung-quoc-va-philippines-va-cham-tren-bien-dong-20240621125615797.htm