VN reiterates support for 1982 UNCLOS

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh

The Spokesman on July 14 in Ha Noi chaired a regular press briefing, two days after the issuance of the ruling on the Philippines’s case against China’s territorial claims in the waters. 

According to the Spokesman, Viet Nam supported the adherence and full implementation of all regulations and procedures stated in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including those on the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention by peaceful measures. 

Viet Nam, said the diplomat, reserves its rights and legal interests in the East Sea, including the sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, along with the rights and interests at sea areas defined as pursuant to the UNCLOS. 

“Viet Nam hoped that the PCA would interpret and apply UNCLOS’s relevant regulations in the Philippines’s case to issue a fair and objective ruling. It also asked the PCA to take due regard of its rights and interests in the East Sea,” said Spokesman Binh.

In response to a question on the information that ASEAN will not issue a joint statement in response to the PCA’s judgment, the Spokesman stressed that maintaining peace, stability, navigation and aviation security and safety in the East Sea is the common interest and responsibility of all countries within and outside of the region. 

“ASEAN’s consistent viewpoint is resolving disputes through peaceful measures, including diplomatic and legal processes, on the basis of respecting the UN Charter and international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS,” the spokesman said, adding that the grouping also underlines the role of its unity and centrality in ensuring peace and stability and promoting cooperation with partners. 

He stressed Viet Nam’s call on relevant parties to exercise self-restraint and respect international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), while not taking actions that complicate the situation so as to help maintain peace, stability and security in the East Sea. /.  

By Kim Anh