(VOVworld) - Ten Vietnamese associations in France have issued a joint statement protesting China’s illegal actions in Vietnamese waters.

China's drilling rig Haiyang 981was illegally placed in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone.

The statement said China’s unilateral action violates Vietnam’s sovereignty, threatens regional security, breaches the principles of handling disputes in the East Sea peacefully, and goes counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea which China signed with ASEAN members in 2002. The associations called on the international community, especially countries with sovereignty claims in the East Sea, to denounce China’s provocative incursion.
Associate Professor Nguyen Duc Khuong, President of the Association of Vietnamese Experts in France, said: “We all have turned our hearts to Vietnam and followed news reports and official statements from the Vietnamese government in response to China’s incursion. We have advocated many activities, including signing a joint statement of Vietnamese associations in France to protest all actions which go against the principles of friendly relations, proper conduct, and international law. We have encouraged our partners in France and other countries to express their opinions to the media with the aim of rallying international support for Vietnam’s legal struggle to get China to end its illegal actions in the East Sea.”

Doctor Dau Van Huan who is working in Singapore gives VNA interview in the country. (Photo: Kim Yen/Vietnam+)