At a press conference today, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang was asked to comment on the clash between Chinese and Philippine forces at Bai Co May in Bien Dong earlier this week.
"Vietnam requests relevant parties to exercise restraint, act in accordance with international law, respect the sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of coastal states, established in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," the spokesperson stated.
Vietnam calls on relevant parties to strictly and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the Bien Dong (DOC) and create a favorable environment for negotiating the Code of Conduct in the Bien Dong (COC).
The spokesperson also urged parties to comply with international regulations on maritime and aviation safety, and to resolve disputes and differences by peaceful means, without the use or threat of force, thereby contributing positively to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
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Chinese Coast Guard clashes with Philippine soldiers at Bai Co May on 20/7. *Photo: CCG* |
The Philippine military reported that on 20/7, Chinese Coast Guard vessel 21560 deployed a rigid-hulled inflatable boat carrying 8 people to approach the BRP Sierra Madre warship at Bai Co May, circling to photograph and film the outpost.
Philippine forces stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre deployed two inflatable boats to drive them away, but the Chinese Coast Guard responded aggressively, using wooden sticks to strike a Philippine soldier's head, injuring one person.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Coast Guard accused Philippine soldiers of attempting to "dangerously ram" its patrol boat, then attacking the patrol team with paddles and sticks.
Both sides recorded the clash, while also accusing the other of editing footage to misrepresent what truly happened. China and the Philippines also summoned each other's ambassadors to protest the incident.
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Location of Bai Co May. *Graphic: Google Maps* |
Bai Co May is a low-tide elevation in Bien Dong, currently controlled by the Philippines. China also claims sovereignty over this feature.
The Philippine military has used the dilapidated warship BRP Sierra Madre, intentionally grounded at Bai Co May, as an outpost to maintain its presence in the area since 1999. A marine unit is stationed on the ship, relying entirely on supplies from the mainland.
Ngoc Anh
