China to hurt itself if insisting on imposing its will

Two Chinese ships are intimidating a Vietnamese vessel in Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone - Photo: VGP/Xuan Hong

Strikingly, China came to a point where they can talk about itself as a victim, while it conducts more unilateral, aggressive acts in order to try to create a new status quo in the sea and on the island, he added.

He went on to say that China's actions caused real concern and understandable in neighboring countries. When countries understand China's intentions and seek to protect a legitimate way out of this enormous neighbor, China has complained. This type of behavior exists in a long time and is reducing the prestige of Beijing.

Regarding the speech delivered by Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phung Quang Thanh at the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore recently, Mr. Ernest Bower said that the speech by Minister Thanh is very important as it will encourage other ASEAN partners to share their views openly to persuade China should work together to draft the Code of Conduct on the East Sea (COC ) between ASEAN and China , and the parties to comply with the rules.

By Hai Minh