18-7-2024 (HANOI) Vietnam has submitted a claim to the United Nations for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the hotly contested South China Sea. This action, announced today by Vietnam’s foreign ministry, comes just one month after the Philippines made a similar submission, further intensifying the complex geopolitical landscape in the region.
The Vietnamese government asserts that this submission, which seeks to extend their continental shelf beyond the current 200 nautical mile limit, is a legitimate exercise of their rights and obligations as a state party to international maritime frameworks. This marks Vietnam’s third such ECS submission, following previous claims made in 2009 for the North Area of the South China Sea (known in Vietnam as the East Sea) and a joint submission with Malaysia concerning the southern part of the region.
This latest move by Vietnam adds another layer of complexity to the already intricate territorial disputes in the South China Sea. China, the region’s dominant power, lays claim to nearly the entire waterway, overlapping with areas claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The strategic importance of this body of water cannot be overstated, with an estimated US$3 trillion worth of annual trade passing through its waters. Moreover, the area is believed to harbour significant oil and natural gas deposits, as well as valuable fish stocks, making it a prize coveted by all surrounding nations.
In conjunction with its ECS submission, Vietnam has also dispatched a diplomatic note verbale to the UN Secretary-General, articulating its position regarding the Philippines’ recent similar submission. This diplomatic communiqué serves to reinforce Vietnam’s stance on the contentious issue.
The foreign ministry’s statement emphatically reaffirmed Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, asserting that these claims are in accordance with international law. This declaration underscores Vietnam’s determination to protect what it perceives as its rightful maritime territory, despite conflicting claims from other nations, particularly China.
Vietnam’s latest action is likely to draw scrutiny from regional powers and the international community alike. It represents a calculated step in the ongoing diplomatic chess game playing out in Southeast Asia, as nations vie for control over this strategically vital and resource-rich expanse of ocean.
The move also highlights the increasing willingness of smaller Southeast Asian nations to assert their claims in the face of China’s expansive territorial ambitions. By leveraging international legal frameworks and institutions like the UN, Vietnam is seeking to bolster its position and challenge the status quo in the region.
