Tensions over territorial and maritime disputes in the South China Sea flared up on May 7 when Chinese vessels and Vietnamese vessels clashed, following a Vietnamese attempt to stop China from installing a deepwater drilling rig near the Xisha Islands, which are controlled by Beijing but also claimed by Vietnam. Up through May 16, there were more than 60 Vietnamese vessels of various types at the scene. In addition, Vietnamese vessels have collided against Chinese vessels over 500 times since May 2 when Oil Rig 981 was placed in this area.
Vietnam has launched a strong diplomatic and public relations campaign supporting its attempts. Sam Bateman, senior fellow with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, points out, “Vietnam appears to be winning the public relations battle with much global commentary supporting its claim that the rig is illegal and painting the situation as yet another example of China’s assertiveness,” but adds that “a closer look into the situation suggests that China could be well within its rights in planting the rig.”
The water where the Chinese company is currently operating is only 17 nautical miles away from Zhongjian Island, which is part of China's Xisha Islands, and nearly 150 nautical miles away from the coast of Vietnam. China published the baseline of Xisha Islands in 1996. Under the UNCLOS regime, the Xisha Islands are entitled to 200 nautical miles of exclusive economic zone and could enjoy at least 200 nautical miles of continental shelf. Zhongjian Island is one of the base points of the Xisha baseline. China’s oil rig is within the contiguous zone of the Xisha Islands, where China has the sovereign right to the natural resources.
This Chinese company has been operating in these waters for at least 10 years, and from May through June last year, Chinese companies also carried out 3D seismic operations and drilling field investigations, making necessary preparations for the drilling operation.
China is the only country, among the parties to the South China Sea dispute that has not put a single oil rig in the disputed Nansha area. In contrast, it is estimated that Vietnam has designated 57 oil and gas blocs in the disputed waters, including seven oil and gas fields in production and 37 drilling platforms. Taking into consideration the overall bilateral relations and peace and stability in the South China Sea, China has exercised great restraint toward Vietnam's actions.
Vietnam’s reaction included demonstrations against China, which were tolerated, if not encouraged, by Vietnam authorities in order to put pressure on China. Unfortunately the demonstrations soon turned into riots against Chinese people and Chinese companies in southern Vietnam. These riots resulted in the loss of lives and property, which have damaged the trust between the two peoples and may hinder further bilateral cooperation.
The Vietnamese government is facing a dilemma. Its public relations battle, which seems to dominate the discourse of the Western media, has been damaged by its loss of control over the riots.
China’s media and public opinion remain reasonable and restrained. However, China still needs a better strategy of adjusting and improving its public relations regarding its maritime disputes.
It will serve the mutual interests of both governments to sit back down at the negotiation table and learn a lesson from the successful practice of the tradition of bilateral dialogue on maritime security.
The author is director of the Research Center for Oceans Law and Policy at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, and a research fellow with the China Institute at University of Alberta. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn