ILLUSTRATION. Chinese patrol boat seen from aboard a Vietnamese patrol boat. The two met in the South China Sea in 2014.
Source: Reuters | Editor: SS Kurniawan
KONTAN.CO.ID – HANOI. Vietnam says China’s military exercises this week in the South China Sea will hurt negotiations for a regional maritime code of conduct (COC) for the disputed waters.
The military drills could complicate efforts to restart talks on the long-awaited code between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
China on Monday started five simultaneous military exercises in various parts of its coast, including two near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea which Vietnam also claims.
“The resumption of negotiations code of conduct (COC) after a long hiatus due to the pandemic has become a priority for ASEAN countries and China, “said Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Thi Thu Hang, Thursday (1/10). Reuters.
Also Read: South China Sea turbulent again, China held military exercises in the Paracels
Vietnam, according to Hang, made the negotiations a priority and “hopes to complete the COC in an effective and comprehensive manner”, in line with international law.
However, Hang added that Vietnam demanded that China respect its sovereignty and not repeat such exercises in the Paracel Islands.
China, which has for years been caught up in maritime disputes with other littoral states in the South China Sea, has in recent months increased its presence in the region.
The People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) is holding drills in this part of the disputed strategic waterway, at a time when other countries are battling the coronavirus outbreak.
Also Read: US holding island assault drills, preparation for war against China?
The United States also accuses China of bullying its neighbors. Meanwhile Beijing says Washington and its Western allies are intruding and jeopardizing security by sending warships into the South China Sea.
In August, Vietnam said the presence of Chinese bombers in the Paracel Islands “jeopardized the peace”.
The COC has been the goal of ASEAN and China for nearly two decades. However, regional security experts have questioned China’s sincerity in getting it done, and doubted whether a legally binding agreement could be made.
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