(VOVworld) – At a regular press conference in Hanoi on Thursday, reporters put questions on Vietnam’s reaction to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling in the Philippines case against China. Spokesman for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Hai Binh said that Vietnam would make an announcement on the ruling.

Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Hai Binh

He repeated key contents of the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sending to PCA on December 5, 2014: “Vietnam supports the full compliance and implementation of all regulations and procedures of the UN 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, including the resolution of disputes, interpretation, and application of the Convention by peaceful means. Vietnam reserves its legitimate rights and interests in the East Sea, including its sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly archipelagos and other rights and interests in sea areas as defined by the Convention. Vietnam requests the PCA pay special attention to Vietnam’s legitimate rights and interests in the East Sea. Vietnam will consider following steps to protect its national rights and interests.”

Asked about Vietnam’s reaction on China’s landing of civil airplanes and its operation of some lighthouses on the structures of Vietnam’s Spratly archipelago, foreign ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said: “Vietnam repeats that it has full legal foundations and historical evidence to claim its sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel islands. Despite Vietnam’s protest and the international community’s concerns, China’s above-mentioned acts seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereignty, are illegal and cannot change the truth about Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel archipelagoes. Vietnam demands that China stop its violation and strictly abide by the international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and refrain from additional acts that make the East Sea situation more complicated”.

Mr. Binh answered a question on a report by Amnesty International about prisons in Vietnam: “Vietnam’s consistent policy is to ensure and promote human rights in line with Vietnam’s Constitution and international norms. Vietnam’s efforts and accomplishments in ensuring and promoting human rights have been acknowledged internationally.”

Mr. Binh also told the media that the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand has instructed Thai agencies to stop searching for a Vietnamese fisherman, who was reported missing following the Thai marine police’ shooting of the Ben Tre fishing boat on July 8, as the man has returned to Vietnam safely. The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand continues to work with Thai agencies to clarify the case and support Vietnamese citizens.