Vietnam violating agreements

Hanoi should take history into consideration, stop disturbing Chinese operations and be constructive about partnership

On May 2, 2014, a Chinese company's rig started drilling operations inside the contiguous zone of China's Xisha Islands for the purpose of oil and gas exploration. Vietnam sent a large number of vessels, including armed vessels, to the site illegally and forcefully disrupted the Chinese operations and rammed Chinese government vessels on escort and security missions there. By stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, Vietnam has gone against its word and obligations.

Vietnam's claims and provocative actions on the sea run counter to the historical and objective facts. The Xisha Islands are an inherent part of China's territory, over which there is no dispute. China was the first to discover, develop, exploit and exercise jurisdiction over the Xisha Islands. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the Chinese government had already established jurisdiction over the Xisha Islands and sent naval forces to patrol the waters there.