Vietnam denounces China's military drill, asserts sovereignty over Hoang Sa archipelago
Vietnam on June 23 denounced China’s illegal military exercise in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, saying it was a serious violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands.
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamon June 23 denounced China’s illegal military exercise in Hoang Sa (Paracel)archipelago, saying it was a serious violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty overthe islands.
Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang made the remarks during a pressbriefing in Hanoi, in response to a reporter’s query about Vietnam’s reactionto the announcement from the Department for Ocean Affairs of Hainan province(China) about a June 19 drill in the waters within 12 nautical miles from Phu Lam(Woody) island belonging to Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago.
The military drill “goes againstthe spirit of the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC),complicates the situation, is not conducive to the ongoing negotiations betweenChina and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on a Code ofConduct in the East Sea (COC), and does not help maintain a peaceful,stable, and cooperative environment in the East Sea,” Hang said.
The spokeswoman stressed that Vietnamstrongly opposes and demands that China respects Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago and notrepeat such violations.
Hang also stated Vietnam’s viewpointon the Japanese media’s reports about the Japanese Government’s sending an appealto the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, inreaction to China’s intention to turn the East Sea into its ‘internal waters’,as well as Japan’s willingness to stand with Southeast Asian countries, Europe andthe US against China in the East Sea issue.
She said Vietnam’s stance hasclearly stated in the diplomatic note No.22/HC-2020dated March 30, 2020 circulated in the United Nations, in which Vietnam affirms itssovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos inaccordance with international law, as well as its sovereignty, sovereignrights, and jurisdiction over the waters as provided by the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnam believes that countries share the common aspirationand goal of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, cooperation, anddevelopment in the East Sea, and settling disputes based on international lawand the 1982 UNCLOS, the spokeswoman said.
“Vietnam has always made activeand responsible contributions to this process,” Hang added./.
The Vietnam Fisheries Society (VINAFIS) has voiced its objection against China’s unilateral fishing ban in the East Sea, saying the annual long ban increases the risk of confrontation between Vietnamese fishing boats and Chinese coast guard.
China’s fishing ban on waters within Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign right, and jurisdiction in the East Sea is valueless, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in a recent document sent to coastal localities.
Maritime and aviation security and safety in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) is extremely important for countries in the region and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Vietnam has affirmed the necessity for maintaining peace, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea while attending the 32nd Meeting of States Parties to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
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The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
Illustrative image. (Photo: VNA) 
Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang. (Photo: VNA) 
