Vietnam opposes Chinese businesses operating on Paracel, Spratly islands

PSNews - At the regular press briefing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 15, spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang has voiced Vietnam’s strong opposition to China’s establishment of Sansha city and Chinese businesses’ illegal operations on Vietnam’s Paracel archipelagos.

Spokeperson Le Thi Thu Hang made the statement following news from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative that reveals China has had approximately 400 businesses operating in the so-called Sansha which was illegally established on Vietnam’s Paracel islands.

She affirmed that: “Vietnam has firmly repeated that it has sufficient historical evidence and legal basis to assert its sovereignty over the Paracel (Hoang Sa) and Spratly (Truong Sa) archipelagos".

Spokeperson Le Thi Thu Hang at the regular press briefing.
Spokeperson Le Thi Thu Hang at the regular press briefing. 

She also highlighted, Vietnam’s consistent stance of strong opposition to China’s establishment of the so-called Sansha city and related acts that she said seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereignty, are not recognized and are detrimental to friendly relations between nations, as well as complicating the situation in the East Sea, the region and the world as a whole.

Additionally, Hang made comments on the recent statement by US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun who proposed increasing cooperation between the quartet (comprised of the US, India, Australia and Japan) and ASEAN, in several areas, including ensuring freedom of navigation at sea.  

“ASEAN welcomes initiatives and ideas to contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region,” said Hang. “Vietnam, in its capacity as the Chairman of ASEAN 2020, has set the main goal of building a cohesive and proactive ASEAN for its Chairmanship year”.

She stressed that Vietnam has been promoting its leading role by strengthening the building of the ASEAN community, affirming ASEAN’s central role in the regional structure and expanding the bloc’s external relations.

Given the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hang said Vietnam desires to work alongside ASEAN and other partners to restore the economy and stabilize people’s lives for peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia-Pacific.

Answering the query of reporter regarding the 37th ASEAN summit, Hang stated that, in role as the ASEAN Chair this year, Vietnam is working closely with other ASEAN member countries to actively prepare for this important meeting. 

"We are also preparing organizational options to ensure security, efficiency and practicality of the event. As ASEAN operates on the basis of consensus, details of the summit will be announced after an agreement is reached by ASEAN member countries", said Hang.

By Linh Bui

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.