Vietnam's DK1 rig in its southern continental shelf. (Photo: VNA) Washington (VNA) – The US Departmentof Defense on August 26 expressed its deep concern at China’s “coerciveinterference” in Vietnam’s longstanding oil and gas activities in the East Sea,as well as its continued efforts to violate the rules-based international orderthroughout the Indo-Pacific.
In a statement, the department said thatrecently, China continued its interference in Vietnam’s oil and as activitiesin the sea and this directly contradicts Chinese Minister of Defense WeiFenghe’s pledge at the Shangri-La Dialogue that China would “stick to the pathof peaceful development”.
“China's actions stand in contrast to the UnitedStates' vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, in which all nations,large and small, are secure in their sovereignty, free from coercion, and ableto pursue economic growth consistent with accepted international rules andnorms,” it said.
According to the statement, China will not winthe trust of its neighbours nor the respect of the international community bymaintaining its “bullying” tactics.
China’s actions to coerce ASEAN claimants,station offensive military systems, and enforce an unlawful maritime claimraise serious doubts over China’s credibility, the statement added.-VNA
VNA
