Vietnam speaks out against China and Philippines' activities in Truong Sa

This morning, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang answered a reporter's question asking about Vietnam's reaction to China and the Philippines' activities in the areas of Hoai An, Tri Le and Cai Vung reefs in the Truong Sa archipelago.

The spokesperson emphasized: “As has been repeatedly affirmed, Vietnam has sufficient legal basis and historical evidence to affirm Vietnam's sovereignty over the Truong Sa archipelago in accordance with international law as well as its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over maritime zones established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."

The fact that relevant parties have sent people to entities under Vietnam's sovereignty without Vietnam's permission is an act of violating Vietnam's sovereignty, further complicating the situation, and going against the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), as well as the efforts of countries in negotiating the current Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC).

Vietnam requests that relevant parties respect Vietnam's sovereignty over the Truong Sa archipelago, not take actions that complicate the situation, comply with international law, seriously implement the DOC, and jointly contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea.

At the same time, Vietnam also pledged to be ready, together with relevant parties, to resolve disputes over territorial sovereignty in the East Sea, including the Truong Sa archipelago, by peaceful means.

The spokesperson said that Vietnam has communicated and sent diplomatic notes protesting relevant countries regarding activities that violate Vietnam's sovereignty over Hoai An Reef and other related entities of Truong Sa.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/viet-nam-len-tieng-truoc-hoat-dong-cua-trung-quoc-philippines-o-truong-sa-2397311.html