(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam is concerned about recent tension in the East Sea, said Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesperson Nguyen Duc Thang at a regular press conference in Hanoi on Thursday.
 Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Duc Thang (Photo: VNA) |
In response to reporters' question on Vietnam’s comments on recent clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels near the Bai Co May or Second Thomas Shoal, Thang said Vietnam calls on the relevant parties to exercise utmost restraint, seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and resolve disputes through peaceful means, while jointly contributing to maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea.
The Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that all claims and activities in the East Sea must be in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) with respect for sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of states established in accordance with UNCLOS, refraining from actions that escalate tensions and ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight without the use or threat of force.
In response to a reporter’s question on Vietnam’s views on some activities of China and the Philippines in the Sandycay area, Thang said: “Vietnam has a full legal basis and historical evidence affirming its sovereignty over the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago in accordance with international law as well as sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the seas established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."
Thang said: "The act of allowing individuals onto entities belonging to Vietnam's sovereignty without the country’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam's sovereignty, further complicating the situation and running contrary to the DOC and current efforts of nations in negotiating a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC)."
Deputy spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Duc Thang emphasized that Vietnam requires all relevant parties to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa Archipelago, not to take actions to complicate the situation, and to comply with international law. All parties need to seriously implement the DOC and help maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.
At the same time, Vietnam has also committed itself to being ready to work with relevant parties to resolve disputes over territorial sovereignty in the East Sea, including the Truong Sa Archipelago, by peaceful means.