中共海洋石油總公司於2014年5月初,在越南外海120海浬處海域(依據國際法,屬越南專屬經濟區內)搭建鑽油平臺,該海域中越雙方均宣稱擁有主權。5月7日越南船隻前往在該海域時,遭中共船隻衝撞,中越雙方發生對峙,關係緊張。中共方面,國務委員楊潔篪駁斥越南說法,表示鑽油平臺是在中共所擁有的九段線海域內運作,並無不妥。美國憂心區域內的危險行為,特別是中共單方面將鑽油平臺設置於爭議海域,是對區域和平無助且挑釁的行為。雖然中共鑽油平臺已於2014年7月16日撤離越南經濟海域,但中越兩國以往的共黨情誼已受到嚴重傷害,短時間內恐難恢復。甚至根據民調顯示,約有84%的越南民眾認為,兩國緊張關係導致衝突的可能性甚高。中共何以在明知違反國際法又無甚高經濟價值海域搭設鑽油平臺,其行為別具意涵。本文將藉中越間歷史脈絡探究兩國間的糾葛,然後分析此次衝突事件背後之意涵。中共將鑽油平臺移至越南經濟海域,除藉流動國土彰顯主權外,其日漸強硬的手段向外擴張更彰顯其軍事與經濟力量的壯大作為支撐,其背後政治意涵更甚經濟價值。因此,此一事件殊值我對區域安全與我國在南海主權之再省思。
Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation established an oil rig 120 nautical miles off the Vietnamese coast which is within the Vietnamese Exclusive Economic Zone based on the International Law. Vietnamese foreign officials claimed that their ships had been rammed by the Chinese vessels on May 7th 2014. Yang Jiechi, a Chinese state councilor, said the rig was operating within Chinese waters and China has done nothing wrong. According to the State Department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, the United States was concerned about the "dangerous conduct and intimidation" in the region. China's unilateral decision to introduce an oil rig into these disputed waters is provocative and unhelpful. A study released that 84% of the Vietnamese polled were concerned that conflict could erupt with their northern neighbor. Apparently, it will take time to make Hanoi and Beijing to reconcile their once fraternal ties anytime soon. Why would China decide to establish an oil rig in a less economic value area since knowing that would violate the international law? Is there any implication behind this act? This research is going to first discuss the history between these two countries by examining through the history passage to find out the implication behind this event. The oil rig could be seen as a floating territory that can be used to claim sovereignty. Clearly, China's growing assertiveness and expansion have been boosted by the military and economic power. The political implication is even more stressed than economic implication. However, the Chinese act has raised the alarm to the region which make us to reconsider the significance of Taiwan's sovereignty in South China Sea.