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Vietnamese protest over maritime dispute with China

June 13, 2011

Dozens of Vietnamese protested peacefully outside the Chinese embassy in Hanoi for the second weekend in a row on Sunday, as tensions rise between the two communist neighbours over a maritime dispute.

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"China must respect and execute the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea"
"China must respect and execute the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea"Image: AP

China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts or all of the South China Sea, a territory believed to be sitting on rich deposits of oil, gas and minerals, as well as being a major shipping lane.

In 2002, China and the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed a non-binding code of conduct to restrain claimant-states from conducting military activities and other provocative actions that could raise tension in the area.

A handful of countries, including China and Vietnam, lay claim on the Spratly Islands
A handful of countries, including China and Vietnam, lay claim on the Spratly IslandsImage: picture-alliance/dpa

Timeline

March 4: The Philippines files a protest with China over an incident near the Reed Bank in which Manila said two Chinese patrol boats threatened to ram a survey ship.

March 28: The Philippines says it has increased air and naval patrols and plans to upgrade an airstrip on an island it occupies in the South China Sea to strengthen its claim on the

disputed area.

April 13: The Philippines protests to the United Nations over China's claim's to disputed areas in the South China Sea, saying Beijing's stance has no basis under international law. May 27: Vietnam says three Chinese patrol boats challenged a Vietnamese ship exploring for oil in the South China Sea, damaging equipment and warning the ship that it was violating Chinese territory.

May 28: China criticises Vietnam for its offshore exploration of oil and gas in the South China Sea.

Vietnamese protested for the second weekend at a Chinese embassy in Vietnam
Vietnamese protested for the second weekend at a Chinese embassy in VietnamImage: AP

June 1: Manila says Chinese navy boats erected pillars, set a buoy and unloaded materials near Amy Douglas Bank, inside the Philippines exclusive economic zone, and says any construction would be a clear violation of the code of conduct.

June 5: China's defence minister tells an Asian defence forum that his country's growing economic and military power was not a threat, saying Beijing is not seeking hegemony and will not threaten any country.

June 8: China steps up criticism of the Philippines in a fresh exchange of invective over disputed waters, calling on Manila to stop infringing its sovereignty with irresponsible

claims over the South China Sea.

June 9: Vietnam accuses China of harassing a ship conducting seismic surveys in the South China Sea. Vietnam says the ship was operating over its continental shelf and within its exclusive economic zone off the southern coast.
June 11: Vietnam confirms its navy will hold live-fire exercises off the central coast.

June 12: Vietnamese authorities tolerate a second day of anti-China protests in the capital, as more than 100 people demonstrate against what they see as bullying behaviour by Beijing.
Reuters, AFP

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There has been a recent spate of territory disputes in the South China Sea

Territory disputes growing in South China Sea

Territory disputes growing in South China Sea

Tensions are growing between China and its neighboring countries over disputed territory in the South China Sea. Despite its growing naval might, China insists that it poses no threat to its neighbors. (08.06.2011)
June 8, 2011