By Joyce Pangco Pañares

VIETNAM has joined China in protesting the baseline bill ratified by Congress this week, and which classifies the disputed Kalayaan Island Group [Spratly Islands] and Scarborough Shoal as “a regime of islands under the Republic of the Philippines.”

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the public statements coming from Vietnam’s foreign affairs spokesman were to be expected, even as he advised claimant countries to lodge their protests before the proper forum, which was the United Nations.

“There is a proper forum for this and that is the United Nations. We are prepared to hold discussions with all claimant countries before the UN because we are also standing by our claims on these islands,” Remonde said.

“They should view our baseline bill as part of our obligation to the international community in compliance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea deadline on May 13 and the code of conduct on the South China Sea.”

Vietnam’s foreign affairs spokesman, Le Dung, said the baseline bill violated his country’s sovereign rights and was not valid because it claimed ownership of islands belonging to the Truong Sa archipelago.

“While seeking a fundamental and long-term solution to the disputes over these archipelagos, the parties concerned should observe the 1982 UN Convention of the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and refrain from undertaking any actions to complicate the situation, contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the region.” Dung said.

He said Vietnam possessed sufficient historical and legal bases to prove its sovereign rights over the disputed territories.

On Wednesday, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya summoned Philippine charge d’ affaires to Beijing Maria Barber to express “strong dissatisfaction and stern protest” over the baseline bill.

Wang said the bill “violated China’s sovereignty” and was “in defiance of the grave concern raised by and repeated protests from the Chinese government.”

The Philippines, China and Vietnam aside, the oil-rich Spratly Islands are also being claimed by Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.