Vietnam keeps close watch on developments in East Sea: spokeswoman
Vietnamese relevant agencies always keep a close watch on developments in the East Sea, and Vietnam has full historical evidence and legal foundations to affirm its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in accordance with international law, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang has affirmed.
Vietnamese relevant agencies always keep a close watch on developments in the East Sea (Illustrative photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamese relevant agencies always keep a close watch on developments in the East Sea, and Vietnam has full historical evidence and legal foundations to affirm its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in accordance with international law, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang has affirmed.
She made the statement while responding to reporters’ question about China’s sending Y-20 transport aircraft to Vanh Khan (Mischief Reef), Xubi (Subi Reef) and Chu Thap (Fiery Cross Reef) of Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago, during a virtual press conference of the ministry held on September 23.
Hang underlined that this activity of China violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa archipelago and international law, runs counter to the Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues, increases militarisation and goes against the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of parties in the East Sea and efforts by stakeholders in negotiations for a Code of Conduct (COC) in the waters.
“Vietnam requests that China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos, put an end to and will not repeat similar violations, respect international law and common perceptions by the countries’ leaders on maritime issues, and contribute to the development of the Vietnam-China friendship and comprehensive cooperation in a practical, proactive and responsible manner, thereby maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea,” she stated.
Regarding a letter dated from China’s Qing dynasty unveiled by scholar Bill Hayton which noted that Hoang Sa is sea and has no relevance to China’s sovereignty, the spokesperson reiterated that Vietnam has full historical evidence and legal foundations to affirm the country’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa, which are in line with international law, and the aforementioned document serves as another proof.
Responding to reporters’ queries about Vietnam’s reaction as Freedom House places Vietnam among countries with little internet freedom, Hang said that it is not the first time that the organisation has made biased and prejudiced assessment based on untrue information on Vietnam.
She stated that efforts to promote and ensure human rights in Vietnam have been highly valued by countries and international organisations in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) under the auspices of the Human Rights Council.
“Therefore, the Freedom House’s report has no value and it is not necessary to comment further,” the spokesperson said./.
The 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-54), which took place recently via videoconference, issued a joint communiqué highlighting the East Sea (South China Sea) situation.
Australia and France ministers have voiced serious concerns about the situation in the East Sea and called for all disputes to be resolved in a peaceful manner in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Politburo member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on September 10 co-chaired the 13th meeting of the the Steering Committee for Vietnam–China Bilateral Cooperation.
Australia and the US underlined the importance of countries’ ability to exercise their maritime rights and freedoms in the South China Sea (called East Sea in Vietnam), consistent with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight and other internationally lawful uses of the sea related to these freedoms.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
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Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
The General Secretary underlined the resolve to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025, laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the following period. He noted that these are mandatory targets, with no alternative path to success.
Restructuring and improving the quality of officials, civil servants, and public employees is no longer a choice, but an urgent requirement to transition from administrative management to governance in service of the people.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has advised Vietnamese people living there to proactively prepare and seek ways to leave the country via land border crossings, especially toward Jordan or Egypt, when security and safety conditions allow.
Vietnamese relevant agencies always keep a close watch on developments in the East Sea (Illustrative photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
