Vietnam News Agency reported that HCM City authorities described China’s move as illegal, saying it runs counter to international law and seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, its sovereign right and jurisdiction over the country’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
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| People in HCM City took to the street in peaceful march against China's illegal placement of its rig Ocean-981 in Vietnam's territorial waters (Photo:VNA) |
The move also negatively affects political trust and cooperation between the two countries and hurts the sentiments of Vietnamese people, including HCM City residents.
The leader of the department stressed Vietnam has sufficient legal and historical evidence to assert its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago, and it will take appropriate, necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests.
Vietnam shows its goodwill towards settling disputes through negotiations, dialogues and other peaceful means in accordance with the perceptions of the two countries’ senior leaders, the Vietnam-China agreement guiding the settlement of marine-related issues, and in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
