Vietnam submits note against China's illegal claims over East Sea to UN
	Philippines issues statement on China's sinking of Vietnamese fishing ship in East Sea
	Russian experts claim Vietnam not alone in East Sea issue

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. Photo: REUTERS

In the release, the US Department of Defense said China’s behavior stands in contrast to the United States’ vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, in which all nations, large and small, are secure in their sovereignty, free from coercion, and able to pursue economic growth consistent with accepted international rules and norms. The United States will continue to support efforts by our allies and partners to ensure freedom of navigation and economic opportunity throughout the entire Indo-Pacific.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of the rules based international order, as it sets the conditions that enable us to address this shared threat in a way that is transparent, focused, and effective. We call on all parties to refrain from actions that would destabilize the region, distract from the global response to the pandemic, or risk needlessly contributing to loss of life and property.

Immediate release of the US Department of Defense on April 9

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, the Chinese coast guard last week sank a Vietnamese fishing vessel with eight crew members on board in the waters belonging to Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.

“The above action by the Chinese ship violated Vietnam's sovereignty over the Paracel archipelago, causing property damage, threatening the safety, lives and legitimate interests of Vietnamese fishermen”, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said.

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