The Vietnam Committee for Asian-African-Latin American Solidarity andCooperation on May 12 issued a statement protesting China ’s illegalplacement of a drilling rig in Vietnam’s waters.

The statement said the Committee is extremely concerned over andresolutely opposes China’s placement of the drilling rig HaiyangShiyou-981 in waters within the exclusive economic zone and continentalshelf of Vietnam , together with a large number of ships, includingmilitary vessels, and aircraft.

“Such moves by Chinaseriously violate Vietnam’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over itsexclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and run counter tointernational law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on theLaw of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct ofParties in the East Sea (South China Sea) (DOC) between China andASEAN,” it said.

They also go against the agreementsbetween senior leaders of Vietnam and China, with the solidarity andcooperation between them having been jointly built by the people andpeople’s organisations of the two countries over the past years. China’sact has complicated the situation and aggravated tension, threateningthe atmosphere of peace, stability and cooperation in the region.

“The Committee proposes that the Chinese side promptly withdraw therig and all escort forces from Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone andcontinental shelf, and refrain from similar actions in the future,”according to the statement.

It also calls on allpeace-loving organisations, forces and people in Asia, Africa, LatinAmerica and the world to urge China to put an end to unilateral movesthreatening regional peace, stability and security, and respectinternational law and Vietnam’s lawful sovereignty.-VNA