Self-respect is at the core of international etiquette.

This action demonstrates a disregard for international law and practice. Specifically: ignoring the United Nations Charter (of which China is a permanent member of the Security Council); treating the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as meaningless (of which China is a signatory); and failing to seriously implement the DOC (which China has committed to with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations). This is from a global and regional perspective.

Considering the bilateral relationship, China has not respected the honor of the people of both countries, both parties, and both states, especially the Chinese people (a nation with a long-standing culture). Its actions in recent days demonstrate its disregard for the friendly relations based on the 16-character motto and the "four goods" principle – a friendship that China itself initiated and built. In particular, China has also disregarded its signature on the Declaration (November 10, 2011) outlining the six guiding principles for resolving maritime issues, including the establishment of a government-level hotline for timely information exchange and processing.

Such calculated and threatening actions that violate Vietnamese territory cannot win the hearts of people today. Public opinion in the region and around the world has condemned these arrogant and blatant acts of disregard for international cultural norms in this civilized era. These are acts of aggression that do not contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region, but only escalate tensions in the South China Sea. China's unprovoked occupation of the Paracel Islands from Vietnam since 1974 (when Vietnam was focused on liberating the South) and its current claim that this area lies within its exclusive economic zone is a "very vague argument." The nine-dash line, encompassing 80% of the South China Sea and encroaching on the sovereign territories of several Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, lacks both legal and historical basis (China has never clarified the exact meaning of these lines), demonstrates a lack of self-respect, and fails to genuinely contribute to building a civilized international environment in today's modern era.

Global public opinion understands that China's expansionist intentions in a region with many countries weaker in economic and defense potential lead to increasingly aggressive and reckless behavior, constantly creating "faits accomplis" that complicate the situation in the South China Sea and provide a springboard for further encroachment (such as the occupation of the Paracel Islands in 1974 and Gac Ma Island in 1988) in order to dominate and control international shipping in the South China Sea, while there is no mechanism capable of preventing or resolving crises in the region.

The fact that China has been aggressively violating Vietnam's maritime and island sovereignty in recent days is all too clear. Yet, on the afternoon of May 8th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a press conference to justify the operation of the Haiyang-981 oil rig in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone. At the press conference, representatives of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed confidence that Vietnam and China would resolve the current issue through "dialogue" (!?). At the same time, China brazenly accused Vietnam. Representatives of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spent considerable time "reiterating" their so-called "sovereignty" stance in the South China Sea. However, the issues that reporters were most concerned about and asked the most questions about were either unanswered or unsatisfactory. For example, they failed to provide any images to substantiate their criticism of "Vietnamese ships harassing Chinese ships." Moreover, China is brazenly demanding that Vietnam withdraw all its fisheries patrol and coast guard vessels from the sea area... under Vietnam's sovereignty (?).

Despite repeated questioning from reporters, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) were unable to explain why China deployed more than 80 vessels of various types to escort an oil rig. When asked whether the Chinese ships' use of water cannons and ramming of Vietnamese vessels constituted blatant bullying, and how many ships, including naval vessels, had been deployed to the Haiyang-981 oil rig area, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative appeared flustered and deliberately avoided answering.

Despite the Chinese vessels' aggressive use of water cannons and direct ramming of Vietnamese coast guard ships, the Vietnamese coast guard officers remained calm and restrained, refraining from immediate retaliation. They avoided falling into the trap, driven by a burning desire for peace and believing it wasn't the right time to retaliate with similar measures. However, restraint always has its limits!

Regarding this act of aggression, Vietnam demanded that China immediately withdraw the deep-sea drilling rig and its escort vessels from Vietnam's exclusive economic zone. However, China insisted that the rig was operating in its waters. Vietnam declared that it would do everything possible to protect its national sovereignty, starting with peaceful dialogue and demanding that China act in a spirit of respect for international law, primarily the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the DOC commitments.

However, at the press conference, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs displayed ambiguous, misleading, and self-disrespecting diplomacy. This attitude failed to convince public opinion, including that of the Chinese people.

Over the years, the Vietnamese people, especially fishermen, have sadly witnessed the spirit of the 16-word motto and the spirit of the four good things being crushed in the waters under Vietnam's sovereignty. The arbitrary and unwarranted imposition of fishing bans in the entire sea area under Vietnam's sovereignty, the expulsion, arrest, and beating of Vietnamese fishermen, and the seizure of Vietnamese fishing boats for ransom are certainly not "good things."good neighbor"...China has brazenly cut Vietnam's oil and gas exploration cables several times, so how could there be any?comprehensive cooperation and good partnershipOkay. And this time, through the Haiyang-981 oil rig incident that violated Vietnam's maritime sovereignty, China only caused trouble.long-term instabilityin the South China Sea. Clearly no onelooking towards the futureThat kind of thing. Never before in history has anything like it been seen on this earth.good friends, good comradesThat kind.

Therefore, Vietnamese public opinion also demands that China act responsibly.self-respectIn fulfilling commitments to build friendly relations with Vietnam through the spirit of the 16-word motto and the spirit of the four "goods," this is the moral principle in international relations today, especially in international relations.friendly neighborsin fact.

We firmly believe that not all Chinese people support the aforementioned approach to international relations. This is because China's conduct in foreign relations runs counter to the core values ​​of a gentleman. The essence of gentlemanly values ​​is...self-esteem,It is formed on the foundation of self-discipline (treating oneself first and foremost with integrity and kindness). A lack of self-respect leads to dishonesty. Dishonesty towards others stems from dishonesty towards oneself. Self-respect has always been, and will forever be, the core of a cultured person, essential for building an international cultural environment in today's trend of global integration.