Activities in East Sea must strictly comply with int’l law

Deputy spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Pham Thu Hang made the above statement at a press briefing on April 6 while she was asked to comment on the report saying that Chinese vessel Haiyang Dizhi 4 recently operated in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone.

Pham also stressed that such activities must also respect Viet Nam's sovereign right and jurisdiction over the sea areas established in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

She cited Viet Nam’s maritime law enforcement forces as saying that the Haiyang Dizhi 4 already left Vietnamese waters.

Regarding the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)’s announcement of a list of 33 locations to be surveyed regularly, including some routes in the East Sea covering the Truong Sa (Spratlys) and sea areas of Viet Nam, the Deputy Spokeswoman said that Viet Nam has affirmed repeatedly that it has sufficient legal basis and historical evidence testifying to its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracels) and Truong Sa in conformity with international law, as well as the sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the sea areas established in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS.

She held that scientific survey and research in Viet Nam’s Truong Sa and sea areas, which were established in line with the 1982 UNCLOS, without permission from Viet Nam represent violation of Viet Nam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa and its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its waters, meaning that it is therefore null and void.

On April 4, the China Daily publicised an interview with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was on a visit to China. In the interview, he called for dialogue to resolve disputes in the East Sea and perceived that the problem is not “insurmountable”.

Regarding the  Malaysian Prime Minister's remark, Pham stated that as a country staying steadfast in the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with the UN Charter and international law, Viet Nam backs cooperation to resolve disagreements in the East Sea issue on the basis of respect for the legitimate rights and interests of countries established by the 1982 UNCLOS, and to actively and practically contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability, and legal order at sea, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, and the sustainable development of seas and oceans.

“With the abovementioned policy, Viet Nam is always ready to work with relevant partners in negotiating and settling border and territorial issues left by history, thus actively contributing to the friendship between Viet Nam and other countries, as well as to peace and stability in the region and the world,” said the Deputy Spokeswoman./.