China asked to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty in East Sea

PSNews - Vietnam requested that China stop this violation, respect Vietnam’s sovereignty, abide by UNCLOS, seriously comply with DOC, practice restraint, create a favorable environment for COC negotiation as a contribution to maintaining peace, security, stability, and legal order at sea in the region, the spokesperson said.

China asked to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty in East Sea ảnh 1

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang

The affirmation was made by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang at the ministry’s press briefing on March 25 in reply to a reporter's question regarding Vietnam's reaction to the information about the rally by hundreds of Chinese ships in the Bai Ba Dau (Whitsun Reef) on Vietnam’s Spratly (Truong Sa) archipelago.

“Vietnam has sufficient legal and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago in accordance with international law. As a littoral nation and a member of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the country is entitled to enjoy sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over its territorial waters, established by the convention,” the official stated.

Chinese ships’ activities within the territorial waters of Sinh Ton Dong island in in Vietnam’s Spratly archipelago violated Vietnam’s sovereignty and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the operation of foreign ships in coastal countries’ territorial waters and ran counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). This complicated the situation and undermined the negotiation of the Code of Conduct (COC) between ASEAN and China, Hang added.

Vietnam requested that China stop this violation, respect Vietnam’s sovereignty, abide by UNCLOS, seriously comply with DOC, practice restraint, create a favorable environment for COC negotiation as a contribution to maintaining peace, security, stability, and legal order at sea in the region, the spokesperson said.

Also at the briefing, responding to reporters’ questions on Vietnam’s reaction to the establishment of an interim government in Libya, Hang said the nation welcomes the establishment of a provisional government to lead the country to official election in December 2021 and called on involved parties to respect the cease fire agreement signed last October.

Vietnam backs and values the supporting role of the UN, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Libya, regional organisations and the international community in stabilizing the situation and seeking a long-term peaceful solution to the Libya issue, Hang stated.

By Linh Bui

Other News

Vietnam and Panama can become gateways linking two regions

Vietnam and Panama can become gateways linking two regions

"Panama can serve as a strategic platform for Vietnamese companies seeking greater access to Latin America and the Caribbean, while Vietnam represents an important gateway for strengthening Panama’s engagement with Southeast Asia", Ambassador Nubiela Ayala Modes confirmed.

Localities committed to achieving 2026 growth targets

Localities committed to achieving 2026 growth targets

Localities nationwide hailed effective and flexible directions delivered by the Government so far this year, resulting in positive nine-month socio-economic growth, and reaffirmed their commitment to achieving targets set for the whole 2026 at an online Government-locality conference on October 3.

Creating new drivers for Vietnam-Canada cooperation

Creating new drivers for Vietnam-Canada cooperation

The elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership shows that Vietnam and Canada increasingly view each other not simply as trading partners, but as long-term partners in addressing economic, technological and regional challenges.

Top leader asks for sports development to build national strength

Top leader asks for sports development to build national strength

The top leader applauded the efforts of ministries, sectors, localities, social organisations, coaches, athletes, experts in developing physical education and sports in recent times, stressing that Resolution No. 08 has provided an important political foundation for sports development over the past 15 years, while Conclusion No. 70 set important orientations for the new period.

Vietnam mobilises resources to affirm its leadership role in APEC 2027

Vietnam mobilises resources to affirm its leadership role in APEC 2027

PSNews - Vietnam is recognised by its partners as an influential member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, with expectations that it will continue to demonstrate leadership when it hosts APEC for the third time in 2027, according to Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu.

Top Vietnamese leader receives Chairman of Japan Bank for International Cooperation

Top Vietnamese leader receives Chairman of Japan Bank for International Cooperation

General Secretary and President Lam urged JBIC to continue promoting the substantive implementation of projects under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), and step up discussions on potential cooperation within the framework of the POWERR Asia (Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia) initiative, including the development of strategic energy reserves.

NA, Government's Party committees meet on legislature's second session agenda

NA, Government's Party committees meet on legislature's second session agenda

National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man coordination must go beyond finishing the agenda to improve the quality of NA decisions and Government enforcement; deal with policies rather than just paperwork, especially in the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena; and pin down final responsibility for each product, not just progress.

Prime Minister receives Cambodian Minister of Inspection

Prime Minister receives Cambodian Minister of Inspection

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked the two countries' inspection agencies to build on their achievements by regularly exchanging information and experience, maintaining delegation exchanges, and coordinating inspections in areas related to bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation.

Urgent action needed to address law enforcement as weak link: Top leader

Urgent action needed to address law enforcement as weak link: Top leader

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam on September 28 called for urgent and fundamental improvements in law enforcement, stressing that legislation and its enforcement must form a unified whole and ultimately serve development, protect legitimate rights and interests, and strengthen public trust.

Vietnamese, Cambodian inspectors reinforce collaboration

Vietnamese, Cambodian inspectors reinforce collaboration

The Government Inspectorate of Vietnam broadly accepted the Cambodian ministry's proposals to maintain, renew and make more effective regular meetings between professional units and training establishments, and increase exchanges of senior, expert and specialised working-group delegations.