Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang

Some 150 delegates are expected to join the 3-day event and related meetings. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang told the press on Thursday: “Vietnam initiated the APEC High-Level Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Tourism in response to the APEC Year 2017 in Vietnam and the UN International Year  of sustainable tourism development. Vietnam’s hosting of the event reflects its commitment to policy making towards sustainable tourism development.”

Regarding the US Department of Defense’s information about China’s near- completion of illegal construction on Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes, the spokeswoman reiterated Vietnam’s sufficient legal ground and historical evidence on its sovereignty over the two archipelagoes. All foreign countries’ activities without Vietnamese permission are illegal and cannot change Vietnam’s sovereignty status. She added that as a world power, China should act in responsible and constructive manner for peace and stability in compliance with international law in the East Sea.