Reporter asked for Vietnam's comment on the recent collision between Chinese ships and Philippine supply ships at Second Thomas Shoal?
Responding, Deputy Spokesperson Nguyen Duc Thang expressed great concern about recent tensions in the East Sea.
"Vietnam calls on relevant parties to exercise utmost restraint, seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), resolve disputes through peaceful measures, and jointly contribute to maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea," Mr. Thang emphasized.
The Deputy Spokesperson also affirmed: All claims and activities in the East Sea must comply with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), respect the sovereignty , sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of countries established in accordance with UNCLOS 1982, take no actions that complicate the situation, increase tensions, ensure freedom of navigation and aviation, and refrain from using force or threatening to use force.
Regarding some activities of China and the Philippines in the Sandy Cay area, Mr. Nguyen Duc Thang reaffirmed: 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 sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over maritime zones established in accordance with UNCLOS 1982.
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 Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in the East Sea at present.
"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 contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea.
At the same time, Vietnam also pledges 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," Mr. Thang said.
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