Vietnam discusses with countries in advance the submission of extended continental shelf boundaries

Vietnam has notified relevant countries through diplomatic channels about the submission of the Submission on the Extended Continental Shelf Limits beyond 200 nautical miles of Vietnam in the Central Area of ​​the East Sea.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang emphasized Vietnam's stance on submitting the dossier on the extended continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles of Vietnam in the Central East Sea Area. Photo: Internet.

Regarding Vietnam's submission of the extended continental shelf boundary, at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held in mid-July in Hanoi , Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said: Vietnam's viewpoint is clearly stated in the Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam on Vietnam's submission of the extended continental shelf boundary beyond 200 nautical miles in the central area of ​​the East Sea. To demonstrate its goodwill and sense of responsibility, Vietnam has informed relevant countries about this issue through diplomatic channels. The exchanges took place in a sincere, friendly and frank atmosphere. All countries recognize and respect Vietnam's right to submit a Submission on the Extended Continental Shelf beyond 200 nautical miles in accordance with the provisions of Article 46 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Previously, on the morning of July 17 (local time), at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the United States, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, and a working delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by Ambassador Trinh Duc Hai, Deputy Head of the National Border Committee, officially submitted the Submission on the Extended Continental Shelf beyond 200 nautical miles of Vietnam in the Central East Sea to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS). On the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a Statement on Vietnam's submission of the above Submission.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, has officially submitted the dossier on the extended continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles of Vietnam in the Central East Sea to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS). Photo: Internet.

The submission of the Extended Continental Shelf Limits beyond 200 nautical miles is to exercise the rights and obligations of a State Party to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as stipulated in Article 76 of UNCLOS. Accordingly, when a coastal State has an extended continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines used to measure the breadth of the territorial sea, the coastal State must submit a Submission of relevant information and data for the CLCS to consider and make recommendations on the limits of the extended continental shelf. The Submission of the Extended Continental Shelf Limits beyond 200 nautical miles in the Central East Sea Area is Vietnam's third submission. In May 2009, Vietnam submitted a separate Submission on the Extended Continental Shelf Limits beyond 200 nautical miles in the North East Sea Area and a joint Submission with Malaysia on the Extended Continental Shelf Limits beyond 200 nautical miles for the South East Sea Area. In the Note Verbale sent to the UN Secretary-General on the Submission on the Limits of the Extended Continental Shelf beyond 200 nautical miles in the Central East Sea Area, Vietnam once again affirmed that the submission of this Submission will not affect the maritime delimitation between Vietnam and relevant coastal countries on the basis of UNCLOS. On this occasion, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang and the working delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam expressed their gratitude for the support of the UN during the process of Vietnam submitting its Submissions in accordance with the relevant provisions of UNCLOS and CLCS. On the same day, July 17, the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN sent a Note Verbale to the UN Secretary-General to express Vietnam's stance on the Philippines' submission on the Limits of the Extended Continental Shelf beyond 200 nautical miles in the East Sea on June 14, 2024. Vietnam's prior discussion with other countries on the submission of the limits of the extended continental shelf is part of Vietnam's strategy to protect its sovereignty and national interests in the field of seas and islands.

Before submitting the submission, Vietnam conducted exchanges and consultations with relevant neighboring countries. This not only demonstrates the spirit of cooperation and transparency in international relations but also helps to minimize the risk of disputes. The submission is based on scientific research, geological, geomorphological and marine surveys to accurately and legally determine the extended continental shelf boundary. This careful preparation helps to increase the persuasiveness of the submission. The submission is not simply the announcement of a boundary but also an act to affirm and protect Vietnam's sovereignty and national interests in its sea areas and continental shelf. Prior exchanges with countries about the submission of the continental shelf boundary not only demonstrates Vietnam's responsibility in complying with international regulations but also affirms the country's determination to protect its rights and territorial sovereignty at sea./.

Thanh Tung