Vietnam calls on China, Philippines to exercise restraint in East Sea

Vietnam has called on parties concerned to exercise restraint, act in accordance with international law, and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said at the press briefing on July 23. Responding to a reporter's question about recent clashes around Bai Co May (internationally known as Second Thomas Shoal) in the East Sea, Hang said Vietnam urged the parties concerned to act with restraint, respect the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of coastal states over their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves as established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and fully and effectively implement the DOC.She stressed the need to foster a favorable environment for negotiations on a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), comply with international regulations on the safety of navigation and aviation, resolve disputes and differences through peaceful means without using force or threatening to use force, and contribute positively to maintaining peace and stability in the region.Regarding a reporter's question on discussions related to the East Sea at the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-59) in the Philippines, the spokeswoman said ASEAN member states and their partners underscored the priority of ensuring ASEAN's unity and resilience and enhancing the bloc's central role in an increasingly substantive and expanding network of partnerships.They also reaffirmed their commitments to implementing the outcomes of the 48th ASEAN Summit, accelerating ASEAN Community-building efforts, and advancing the priorities of the Philippines' ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026; and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern, including the East Sea.The ASEAN member states and dialogue partners stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, respecting international law, and settling disputes peacefully on the basis of international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS.The ASEAN member states and China reaffirmed their determination to conclude negotiations in 2026 on a substantive and effective COC that is consistent with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS, Hang stressed. China Coast Guard personnel scuffle with Philippine servicemen at Second Thomas Shoal on July 20, 2026. Photo courtesy of China Coast Guard The Philippine military said that on July 20, China's Coast Guard vessel 21560 deployed a rigid-hulled inflatable boat carrying eight personnel to approach the BRP Sierra Madre grounded at Second Thomas Shoal. The boat circled the outpost while taking photographs and recording video.Philippine troops stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre dispatched two inflatable boats to drive it away. According to the Philippine military, the Chinese Coast Guard responded aggressively, with one of its personnel striking Philippine servicemen on the head with a wooden stick, leaving one injured.The China Coast Guard accused Philippine personnel of attempting to deliberately ram one of its patrol boats before attacking a Chinese patrol team with paddles and sticks.Both sides recorded the confrontation and later accused each other of selectively editing the footage to misrepresent what had actually occurred.China and the Philippines also summoned each other's ambassadors to lodge formal protests over the incident.Second Thomas Shoal is a low-tide elevation in the East Sea, known internationally as the South China Sea, that is currently occupied by the Philippines. China also claims sovereignty over the feature.Since 1999, the Philippine military has used the grounded BRP Sierra Madre as an outpost to maintain its presence in the area. A contingent of Philippine Marines is stationed aboard the ship and relies entirely on resupply missions from the mainland.