Vietnam demands that China respect and stop activities that violate Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf,” the Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
On the afternoon of April 7, at the press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the issue of exercises in the East Sea and China’s militarization of islands under Vietnam’s sovereignty were particularly concerned by the media.
According to a notice posted on the website of China’s Maritime Administration (MSA), an exercise will take place in the South China Sea from March 19 to April 9. The notice did not mention the size of the exercise but stated that ships were prohibited from entering the relevant area.
Previously, China also conducted military exercises in the East Sea on March 4-15. On March 7, Vietnam and China had a meeting.
Regarding this, Pham Thu Hang – Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: “Vietnam requests China to respect and stop activities that violate Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf established in accordance with the law. accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982”.
The Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam asked China to exercise restraint and not take actions to complicate the situation, contributing to maintaining peace, security and stability in the East Sea. Vietnam continues to engage with China on this issue.
Before the news that China completely militarized a number of islands that it illegally built on Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago, Ms. Hang emphasized that Vietnam has full legal grounds and historical evidence. to assert sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos in accordance with international law as well as sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the seas in accordance with international law, UNCLOS 1982 .
The promotion of militarization on a number of structures in the Spratly archipelago not only violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over these archipelagoes but also causes concern to countries in the region and the international community as reflected. reflected in ASEAN documents, is not conducive to maintaining peace, security and stability in the East Sea region.
Vietnam asks China to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty, stop its militarization, and not take actions that cause tension; maintaining favorable conditions, continuing to make efforts with ASEAN to promote negotiations to soon achieve a substantive and effective COC Code of Conduct in the East Sea, in accordance with international law and UNCLOS 1982. strong.
Also at the press conference, information that a former Supreme Court judge of the Philippines proposed that the country organize joint patrols in the East Sea with Vietnam and other countries in the region was also raised.
Commenting on this, Ms. Pham Thu Hang said, Vietnam always wishes to cooperate with other countries and contribute to peace, stability, security, safety, cooperation and development in the East Sea on the basis of international law, UNCLOS 1982, for the common good, in line with the aspirations of countries in the region and the international community.
“For many years, Vietnam has cooperated in joint patrols with countries in the region, such as Cambodia, China, and Thailand, and has had many international cooperation activities in scientific research, environmental protection, crime prevention at sea and economic activities” – Ms. Hang said.
Source : DanTri
