June 3, 2014
A number of Vietnamese officials have now threatened to bring legal action against China over their territorial dispute in the South China Sea; but it does not seem to be having any impact on China’s efforts to defend and sustain their presence. As Bloomberg reports, a total offive Chinese fighter jets have now been deployed to the area of exploration in disputed waters off the coast of Vietnam today (compared to 1 previous day) citing Fishing Control Department under Vietnam’s agriculture ministry. China has refused to answer the case the Philippines filed with an international tribunal at The Hague. It is likely to pursue a similar strategy if Vietnam appeals to international law in its own disputes with China.
Vietnam appears set to use international law to settle its territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea… (via The Diplomat)
And China is responding in kind (as Bloomberg reports)…A number of Vietnamese officials have now threatened to bring legal action against China over their territorial dispute in the South China Sea.
And as The Diplomat notes, it is unlikely China will care…Total of five Chinese fighter jets deployed to area of exploration rig in disputed waters off coast of Vietnam today, compared to 1 previous day, newspaper reports, citing Fishing Control Department under Vietnam’s agriculture ministry.China still maintains 120 vessels of all kinds, including 4 military ships in disputed Paracel Islands area: newspaper
Some 50 Vietnamese ships are fishing in Paracel Islands area 20-30 nautical miles from the rig: newspaper
Speaking to Bloomberg News on Friday, Prime Minister Nguyen
Tan Dung said that Vietnam is preparing to bring its territorial row
with China to an international arbitrator. “We are prepared and
ready for legal action,” Dung said, according to Bloomberg. “We are
considering the most appropriate timing to take this measure.”
