US military concerned over tension between China, Vietnam

Admiral Samuel Locklear III, commander of US Pacific Command. AFP

MANILA, Philippines – A ranking United States (US) military official said he has “serious concerns” over the tense situation between Vietnam and China over maritime disputes because of the high risk for miscalculation.

“I have serious concerns, I believe that we should first encourage both parties to exercise restrain,” Admiral Samuel Locklear III, Commander of the US Pacific Command, said in an interview after the World Economic Forum (WEF) session Asia Security Outlook Friday.

“[They should deal with] these types of issues through normal types of [mechanisms] that allow them to use international law or an international platform to determine these particular disputes,” he said.

China has previously deployed an oil rig towards the Paracel Islands off the coast of Vietnam sparking protests by Vietnamese against what they say is an infringement of their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Chinese manufacturing plants were attacked by Vietnamese prompting China to extend assistance to its citizens and evacuate many of them.

Vietnamese ships tried to prevent the oil rig from getting to its intended location but were prevented by Chinese military escort vessels.

Asked whether the US has plans to establish a strategic partnership with Vietnam, Locklear said that the US is looking for expanding partnerships with Vietnam as well as other countries.

“The US is pursuing alliances and strategic partnerships and [we have a] growing number of partnerships and we look forward to exploring opportunities to expand our partnership with nations such as Vietnam, but Vietnam is among many,” he said.

Philippines and US previously signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) that gives US military forces access to Philippine military bases.

The agreement is widely seen as a deterrent to China’s aggressive maritime claims in the South China Sea including the West Philippine Sea, to which China claims to have indisputable sovereignty.

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