FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2020
Viet Tan welcomes the United States and Australia’s rejection of
China’s claims in the South China Sea
Vietnamese people have long objected to China’s hegemony in the South China Sea. Yet, the Vietnamese government continues to imprison activists such as Le Dinh Luong, Nguyen Nang Tinh, Nguyen Van Hoa, Tran Hoang Phuc, and many others for speaking out in defense of Vietnam’s territorial sovereignty. Western nations are increasingly recognizing the threat that China poses to global security.
Viet Tan welcomes the U.S. State Department’s statement rejecting China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea. We concur with the Australian government that the “nine-dash line” drawn by Beijing has no legal basis. We call on the governments of Japan, India, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union to also reject China’s “nine-dash line.”
Viet Tan recognizes the dire importance of protecting Vietnam’s sovereignty. Maintaining peace, defending economic interests, and protecting the lives of fishermen in the South China Sea is the responsibility of all Vietnamese people. In that spirit, Viet Tan affirms:
First, the Paracels and Spratlys belong to Vietnam. China has been violating international law by occupying these islands.
Second, the Vietnamese government must revoke all inequitable agreements and understandings with China, including the 1958 diplomatic note of Prime Minister Pham Van Dong which implicitly recognized the “nine-dash line.” A government that serves the interest of the nation must be willing to take sovereignty disputes to international fora. This is the successful experience of the Philippines, which took their case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration and received a ruling that China’s maritime claims violated international law.
Third, a government that is actually of the people, by the people, and for the people, must foster an environment where Vietnamese citizens are able to freely discuss, research, debate, and even demonstrate for Vietnam’s territorial and maritime claims. On that basis, the Vietnamese Communist Party must release all those who have been sentenced to prison because they spoke out against China’s aggression towards Vietnam.
Viet Tan is committed to working with partners inside and outside of Vietnam to advance our common interests.
Contact: Duy Hoang +1 202-596-7951
