A reporter asked for Vietnam's comment on the recent clashes between Chinese ships and Philippine supply vessels at Second Thomas Shoal.
In response, Deputy Spokesperson Nguyen Duc Thang expressed deep concern about the recent tensions in the South China Sea.
"Vietnam calls on all relevant parties to exercise utmost restraint, strictly implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), resolve disputes through peaceful means, and contribute to maintaining peace, stability, and cooperation in the South China Sea," Mr. Thang emphasized.
The Deputy Spokesperson also affirmed: All claims and activities in the South China Sea must conform to international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), respect the sovereignty , sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of states established in accordance with UNCLOS 1982, refrain from actions that complicate the situation or increase tensions, ensure freedom of navigation and overflight, and not use force or threaten to use force.
Regarding some activities of China and the Philippines in the Sandy Cay area, Mr. Nguyen Duc Thang reaffirmed: Vietnam has full legal grounds and historical evidence to assert its sovereignty over the Spratly Islands in accordance with international law, as well as its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the maritime areas established in accordance with UNCLOS 1982.
The act of relevant parties allowing people to access entities under Vietnam's sovereignty without Vietnam's permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam's sovereignty, further complicating the situation, contradicting the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and the efforts of countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) currently underway.
"Vietnam requests that all relevant parties respect Vietnam's sovereignty over the Spratly Islands, refrain from actions that complicate the situation, abide by international law, seriously implement the DOC, and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea."
"At the same time, Vietnam is also committed to working with relevant parties to resolve territorial sovereignty disputes in the East Sea, including the Spratly Islands, through peaceful means," Mr. Thang said.
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