Singapore (VNA) – Singapore DefenceMinister Ng Eng Hen stated that China’sHong Kong Special Administrative Region’s detention of nine Singapore’s armored vehicles goes againstinternational law as well as the law in Hong Kong.
Answeringquestions at the parliament of Singaporeon January 9, Ng Eng Hen said that the Terrex vehicles belong to theSingaporean government and are protected by sovereign immunity.
This means that they are immune from any measures of constraint abroad. Theycannot legally be detained or confiscated by other countries, he said, addingthat this principle is well-established under international law, as well as thelaw in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong customs seized the troop carriers in lastNovember at Kwai Chung port as theywere being shipped from Taiwanto Singaporeafter military exercises.
Theminister also said that Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had written toHong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, asking for the immediate return of thevehicles.
TheSingaporean defence minister also affirmed that the vehicles do not carry anyammunition and do not contain any sensitive equipment.
Meanwhile,Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that the case should behandled in accordance with legal procedures and there is no need to politicalisethe matter.-VNA
Answeringquestions at the parliament of Singaporeon January 9, Ng Eng Hen said that the Terrex vehicles belong to theSingaporean government and are protected by sovereign immunity.
This means that they are immune from any measures of constraint abroad. Theycannot legally be detained or confiscated by other countries, he said, addingthat this principle is well-established under international law, as well as thelaw in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong customs seized the troop carriers in lastNovember at Kwai Chung port as theywere being shipped from Taiwanto Singaporeafter military exercises.
Theminister also said that Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had written toHong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, asking for the immediate return of thevehicles.
TheSingaporean defence minister also affirmed that the vehicles do not carry anyammunition and do not contain any sensitive equipment.
Meanwhile,Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that the case should behandled in accordance with legal procedures and there is no need to politicalisethe matter.-VNA
VNA