Home / International / FM Press Releases Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read | Comment
China angered over Exxon Mobil oil agreement
Adjust font size:

China opposes any activities that violate its sovereignty and jurisdiction over the South China Sea, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said yesterday.

He made the remarks at a regular press briefing after being asked to comment on the oil exploration deal signed between US oil giant Exxon Mobil and Vietnam's state oil firm.

Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Sunday that Exxon Mobil had recently signed a preliminary cooperation agreement with Vietnamese state-owned oil firm PetroVietnam on an exploration project in the South China Sea.

"China's position over the South China Sea is clear and consistent, and the Chinese side has stated its position to relevant parties involved in the deal," Liu said.

"We oppose any activities that infringe on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the South China Sea."

Chinese diplomats in Washington earlier spoke to Exxon Mobil executives, saying the project is a breach of Chinese sovereignty and if the company goes ahead with it, its future business on the mainland could be threatened, the Sunday Morning Post cited unnamed sources close to the US firm as saying.

Countries like Vietnam and the Philippines have occupied several uninhabited islands and reefs in the South China Sea through military means. They have also destroyed the marks of Chinese sovereignty, and arrested, detained or driven Chinese fishermen away from the islands, a report published in 2000 by the Foreign Ministry claimed.

However, the Chinese government has always advocated the settlement of disputes through peaceful means and diplomatic consultation, and China opposes any involvement of external forces, which only further complicate the problem, the document said.

Last year, during a visit by Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet to China, the two countries agreed to promote common development in the South China Sea.

Other Foreign Ministry Press Release News:

China-DPRK border remains normal

China welcomes Zimbabwe deal on talks to end crisis

China congratulates Nepal on election of first president

FMs to meet on Korean Peninsula nuclear issue Wednesday

China expects all Olympic athletes to 'promote friendship'

China reiterates vow to facilitate Olympic reporting

 

 

(China Daily July 23, 2008)

Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read
Comment
Pet Name
Anonymous
China Archives
Related >>
- CNOOC announces startup of new oil field in South China Sea
- China, Vietnam agree to properly handle South China Sea dispute
Most Viewed >>
- China, Russia launch energy negotiation mechanism
- US lawmakers urged to stop disrupting Olympics
- Rafsanjani rejects deadline for nuclear response
- China helps to clear land mines on Peru-Ecuador border
- China's Darfur policy in tune with law, morality
> Korean Nuclear Talks
> Reconstruction of Iraq
> Middle East Peace Process
> Iran Nuclear Issue
> 6th SCO Summit Meeting
Links
- China Development Gateway
- Foreign Ministry
- Network of East Asian Think-Tanks
- China-EU Association
- China-Africa Business Council
- China Foreign Affairs University
- University of International Relations
- Institute of World Economics & Politics
- Institute of Russian, East European & Central Asian Studies
- Institute of West Asian & African Studies
- Institute of Latin American Studies
- Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies
- Institute of Japanese Studies