China disputes Vietnamese claims to Spratly islands; demands “immediate correction” of new law

Vietnam’s National Assembly has passed a law requiring all foreign naval vessels operating in the waters around the Spratly islands to notify Vietnamese authorities of their presence. This ruling has enraged the Chinese government, which also claims sovereignty over the region.

China’s Vice Foreign Minister, Zhang Zhijun was quoted as saying, “Vietnam’s Maritime Law, declaring sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Paracel and Spratly islands, is a serious violation of China’s territorial sovereignty. China expresses its resolute and vehement opposition …

"China demands the Vietnamese side … not do anything to harm relations or the peace and stability of the South China Sea.”

Vietnam and China are not the only claimants of sovereignty over the potentially hydrocarbon-rich territory around the Spratly islands. The Phillipines, Malaysia, Brueni Darussalam, and Taiwan all hold competing claims over the region.

The number of disputes over the region has risen in recent years, a fact that many attribute to an increasingly assertive China, keen to ensure its energy security. Indeed, to this end, China has reportedly spent more than US$ 1 billion designing and building an ultra deepwater rig to carry out hydrocarbon exploration in the region.

Given the political costs of backing down from a claim over the region, it looks highly unlikely that any side is going do such a thing any time soon; many analysts have pointed to territorial disputes over the South China Sea as the most likely flashpoint for a future Asian conflict.

China’s Rear Admiral, Zin Zhuo was quoted as saying that, “[China’s] navy has the absolute ability and the absolute confidence to use arms to defend our country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and maritime rights … We’re just waiting for the order.”

The increasing tensions over the South China Sea, and China’s burgeoning naval power have most likely been a key factor in the US government’s decision to rebalance the deployment of its naval forces, with 60% based in the Pacific region and 40% in the Atlantic.

Edited from various sources by David Bizley

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