The East Sea, a semiclosed one, covers an area of  around 3.5 million square kilometres, enclosed by several countries and territories. According to studies carried out by international organizations, a part from rich natural resources, the East Sea is also a sea lane of utmost importance, linking Pacific Ocean with Indian Ocean, Asia with Europe and Middle East, directly effecting the lives of around 300 million people. Thus, cooperation in maintaining maritime security in the East Sea plays an important role in ensuring political stability of the region, satisfying aspirations and shared benefits of its bordering countries and others worldwide. Fully aware of that, over the past time, Vietnam has actively worked with relevant countries to maintain peace, stability, order and security in this important sea. In this regard, Vietnam has ratified the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and a number of other multilateral conventions relating to maritime transportation and safety. This is a necessary and significant step, laying a comprehensive legal foundation for trading, exploitation, management, and heading toward resolutions for disputes in seas, and creating a favourable condition for the country’s integration into the world.

Participants of the 23rd Asean Region Forum (Photo: VNA)

Recently, in response to escalated tension in the East Sea, Vietnam has actively called for the full implementation of the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). In the 44th ASEAN Foreign Minister Meeting held in Indonesia (July, 2011), Vietnam played an important role in encouraging parties to agree on and officially approve the Guidelines for implementating the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea - an important document that highlighted cooperation between ASEAN and China, and laid a foundation for a legally binding document, namely the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (CoC).

Besides, Vietnam’s Navy and Coast Guard have strengthened cooperation with maritime law enforcement forces of countries, such as China, Cambodia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, to establish hot lines, carry out joint patrol, exercises, rescue and relief, making contributions to building confidence and strengthening cooperation in maintaining maritime security and order, peace and stability in the region. In economic field, Vietnam has also promoted cooperation with several countries in oil exploration and exploitation and maritime scientific research. Moreover, Vietnam has proactively taken part in regional forums and mechanisms for cooperation, such as ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting (ADMM), East Asia Summit (EAS), and other international conferences and workshops on the East Sea, actively proposing initiatives for efficient and practical cooperation.

To conclude, together with affirming the guideline on peacefully resolving disputes over seas and islands, collaboration and cooperation between our country and others in the East Sea have delivered our important message: Vietnam is always a responsible member in the international community, respecting and conforming with international law, particular international conventions to which it is a signatory, determinedly maintaining peace, stability, order and security in the East Sea both at present and in future.

Hong Thuy