Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has full legalfoundations and historical evidence affirming its sovereignty over Hoang Sa(Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in accordance with internationallaw.

The statement was made by the Spokesperson ofVietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang at a regular ministry pressconference in Hanoi on May 23 in response to reporters’ queries about Vietnam’sreaction to China’s organisation of the seventh Sinan Cup Regatta, a sailingcompetition, from April 22-26, 2019 at the area of Duy Mong island belonging toVietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago.

China’s organisation of the seventh Sinan CupRegatta in Hoang Sa has seriously infringed upon Vietnam’s sovereignty over thisarchipelago, running counter to the agreement on basic principles guiding thesettlement of sea issues between Vietnam and China and the spirit of theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), as well ascomplicating the situation which is not conducive to the maintenance ofpeaceful, stable, and cooperative environment in the East Sea, the spokespersonstressed.

“Vietnam asks China to respect Vietnam’ssovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos without repeating theaforesaid activity and conducting others which intensely raise and complicatethe situation in the region,” she said.

The spokesperson also fielded reporters’ queriesabout the information in a report issued on May 20 by experts from the Centrefor Strategic and International Studies, that Chineseenvironmentally-destructive clam harvesting boats have increased activity inthe East Sea, specifically around the waters of Bong Bay (Bombay) Reef and BachQuy Island of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago.

She said the exploitation of natural resourcesin the East Sea should comply with the provisions of international law asstated in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law ofthe Sea (UNCLOS), as well as respect the sovereignty and sovereignrights of coastal nations and abide by regulations on the protection of marineecological environment.

Countries also need to obey their obligationsunder international treaties on the environment, she added.

Regarding the recent developments on the KoreanPeninsula, the spokesperson said Vietnam calls on the involved parties tostrictly and fully comply with relevant resolutions of the United NationsSecurity Council, and promote dialogues to build a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula,contributing to peace, security, stability, cooperation, and development in theregion and the world.

Pertaining to the trade dispute between Chinaand the US in recent times, the spokesperson said this is a common concern ofthe international community as it affects the global trade and economicstability. 

Vietnam closely follows the issue and hopes the two countries will resolve thedispute soon through dialogues and negotiations in the spirit of respect,cooperation and mutual understanding, in line with international law andcommitments, and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and developmentin the region and beyond, Hang stressed. 

Regarding the 18th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hang said General Ngo XuanLich, Minister of National Defence, will lead a high-level Vietnamese militarydelegation to attend the event. 

Vietnam’s participation illustrates the country’s active and responsible role inregional and international matters, as well as its desire to boost friendship,cooperation, and share experience with countries in addressing common securitychallenges, thus building trust as a foundation to promote cooperation forpeace and development, she added. 

This is also a primary goal of Vietnam in attending the event, she affirmed. –VNA