“Vietnam loves peace, but Vietnamese people will do anything to protect the country if realizing the risk of losing the sovereignty,” said Deputy Defence Minister, Lieutenant-General Nguyen Chi Vinh after returning from the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Deputy Defence Minister, Lieutenant-General Nguyen Chi Vinh. Photo VietDung/TTO

In his statement at the plenary session of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 5, the Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, General Phung Quang Thanh mentioned the case of the Binh Minh 02 – a Vietnamese surveying ship as an example for what is called new maritime security threats on the East Sea. Could you make this clearer?

One President, two Prime Ministers, 28 Defense Ministers, and about 2,000 military officials and experts attended the 10th IISS Asia Security Summit, also called the Shangri-La Dialogue. At the plenary session, Gen. Phung Quang Tranh delivered a speech on the theme of “Responding to New Maritime Security Threats” which was highly appreciated for its contribution to the peace, stability and development in the region.

Alongside this, Gen. Thanh answered some questions, confirming the China’s wrongdoings in the issue as the Binh Minh 02 conducted its normal oil and gas exploration activities, well within Vietnam’s 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone.

He also reaffirmed “Vietnam has exercised patience in managing the incident with peaceful means in accordance with the international laws and the principle of determinedly protecting our national sovereignty, while preserving peace and stability in the East Sea, and maintaining the friendly relationship with neighboring countries.”

Responding to the statement made by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Nga, China said this was merely a marine supervision and law execution and its military forces were not involved in the issue. What do you think about their statement?

I want to emphasize that the Chinese marine surveillance vessels violated Vietnam’s sovereignty and jurisdiction rights over its continental shelf and exclusive economic zone. This proves China has no legal ground and has to use violence to destroy a normal activity in the waters belonging to Vietnam’s sovereignty.

The issue happened after a series of diplomatic activities from China and on the threshold of the Shangri-La Dialogue. It is, thus, also a challenge to the world opinion. The international community must have responsibility to protect the truth and international law. Nobody is allowed to violate the international law.

The Binh Minh 02 incident was not mentioned in the Shangri-La Dialogue. Why don’t ASEAN countries involve this as an issue of regional magnitude?

This matter is being solved by Vietnam and China, together. We have already chosen to solve it with China, publicly and transparently. We have made our intentions clear to the international community like at this forum so people can have a voice and China can think about its acts.

The international community here, as far as I understand it, is talking about the sea as a common thing. The East Sea is viewed as a common “playground,” where people have to respect one another's sovereignty in accordance with international law. No one is allowed to maintain it as his own “playground,” or rather, no one has the right to control the East Sea. No one has jurisdiction over these disputed areas.

The incident involving the Binh Minh-02 [which was sabotaged by Chinese marine surveillance while engaged in oil exploration work in Vietnam’s territorial waters on May 26] has raised a number of concerns.

Last year, China introduced its “U-shaped” line [a revisionist map that claims 80 percent of the East Sea as its own] and this year they officially submitted documents to the United Nations asking that their Exclusive Economic Zone be extended. People now wonder if the recent incident represents China's first step towards making the “U-shaped” line a new regional reality. This is the question being asked by the international community because if it is true it will harm the interests of related countries.

What must Vietnam do to ensure that the case of the Binh Minh-02 won’t repeat?

Vietnam will use all possible measures to maintain its stability and sovereignty.  We always exercises restraint and won’t let problems get out of control. We need to be determined to keep peace and friendship with neighboring countries. However, when the dispute escalates, we will act.

The Binh Minh-02 ship has still continued its work under the protection of 8 vessels, aiming to prevent any violations of our Exclusive Economic Zone. Our army will closely monitor the issue to avoid conflict. In the event of an action that constitutes armed violence, the Navy will certainly interfere to protect.

First of all and after all, we have to solve it with China. Our Party and government will solve the problem, even though it will take time and I do believe that the May 26 incident will not happen again.

U.S Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, declared to increase their presence in Asia. One of the steps to increase is to send more ships to Singaporean sea areas. Is Vietnam useful to the US strategy?

I surely said that Vietnam is capable of protecting its sovereignty without depending on the third party. We will never allow any countries to negotiate over our sovereignty.