越南向聯合國提出擴展南海大陸棚的主張

Recently Yahoo News on-lines reported the following:

Vietnam files UN claim to extended continental shelf in South China Sea

Reuters

Updated Thu, July 18, 2024 at 3:22 a.m. PDT·2 min read

HANOI (Reuters) -Vietnam has filed a claim with the United Nations for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China Sea, a month after regional neighbour the Philippines made a similar move, Vietnam's foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Hanoi is asking to extend the continental shelf beyond the current 200 nautical miles from relevant baselines in its territorial waters, the ministry said in a statement.

The submission also reaffirms Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, which it said was in accordance with international law.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Portions of the strategic waterway, where $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually, are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, as well as fish stocks.

China said it firmly opposed Vietnam's submission and had lodged solemn representations with the Vietnamese side.

"Vietnam's relevant claim covers part of China's Nansha Islands, which violates China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," said Lin Jian, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson.

Vietnam's foreign ministry said it also sent a note verbale to the Secretary-General of the U.N. to state Vietnam's position regarding a similar submission filed by the Philippines last month.

In response, the Philippines said it was ready to engage with Vietnam on ways to achieve a mutually beneficial solution to South China Sea issues, in accordance with international law.

This is Vietnam's third submission of an ECS, the statement added, including a submission in respect of the North Area of the South China Sea, or Vietnam's East Sea, and a joint submission with Malaysia in respect to the southern part of the area in 2009.

(Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Sharon Singleton)

Translation

河內（路透社） - 越南外交部週四表示，在地區鄰國菲律賓向聯合國提出南海擴展大陸架（ECS）主張後一個月, 越南已採取類似行動

越南國防部在聲明中表示，河內要求將大陸棚擴大到距其領海相關基線200海里以外。

該意見書也重申越南對黃沙群島 (Paracel)和長沙群島(Spratly)的主權，並稱這是符合國際法的。

中國自稱對幾乎整個南海擁有主權，但包括菲律賓、汶萊、馬來西亞、台灣和越南也聲稱擁有這地區的主權。據信，每年經這條戰略航道的貿易貨運額達 3 兆美元, 部分航道蘊藏著豐富的石油和天然氣以及魚類資源。

中方對此表示堅決反對，已向越方提出嚴正交涉。

中國外交部發言人 Lin Jian 說 "越南有關主張涉及中國南沙群島部分海域，侵犯了中國的領土主權和海洋權益” 。

越南外交部表示，它也向聯合國秘書長發出了一份普通照會，顯示出越南對於菲律賓上個月所提交的類似訴求的立場。

菲律賓回應稱，準備根據國際法與越南就南海問題達成互利解決方案進行接觸。

聲明補充說，這是越南第三次提交擴展大陸架 (ECS)，其中包括2009年就南海北部海域（即越南東海）及與馬來西亞聯合提交的該地區南部海域 。

               So, Vietnam has filed a claim with the United Nations for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China Sea, a month after regional neighbor the Philippines made a similar move. I am wondering why Vietnam puts forward such a claim at this point in time.

Note:

1. The extended continental shelf, or ECS, (大陸架)refers to that portion of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the coast. ECS limits are determined using the provisions set forth in Article 76 of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention.