Vietnam, Philippines condemns China military drills disputed waters

Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 10:17 am

Association of Southeast Asian members Vietnam and Philippines denounces the recent millitary drill conducted by China in a disputed part of the South China, a move that can further escalate the tension of the region.

Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the drill in the water near the Paracel island were highlight provocative while the Vietnam counterpart calls it a violation of sovereignity to could be damaging to China’s relationship with the regional bloc.

China conducted the 5 day drills near the disputed islands where Vietnam also has overlapping claims.

Hanoi and Manila have been the very vocal opponents where they see the Chinese claiming territory where they have jurisdiction. China’s claim of the paracel of island is based on historical jurisdiction.

The Philippines views the holding exercises being conducted by the Chinese beyond its own waters was not acceptable.

Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry sent a diplomatic note to the Chinese embassy denouncing the exercise as “serious violation to Vietnam’s sovereignity”. The Chinese drills and aggression in the South China Sea further complicate the situation and not beneficial between China and the Asean Region.