Defend the sovereignty

Vietnam resolutely opposes and rejects China’s new regulations on a fishing break at sea, Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh has stated.

Vietnam has reiterated its sovereignty over the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracels) archipelagoes, and held that all construction and reclamation at the two archipelagoes without Vietnam’s permission are illegal.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh stressed that ASEAN should strengthen solidarity and unity in the East Sea issue.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers Conference (AMM Retreat) is the first test for the solidarity of ASEAN in the year when Philippines will undertake the Presidency.

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bonn, Germany confirmed that the respect for and compliance with the international law is prerequisite to maintain sustainable peace.

A Chinese bank branch established in the so-called Sansa city on Phu Lam island in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago is illegal, stated Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh.

According to the Directorate of Fisheries, Vietnam’s seas are home to about 1,100 square kilometres of coral reefs with 240 species.

Vietnamese Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi told Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television that Vietnam’s activities on islands and rocks under its management in the East Sea are completely normal.

On January 19, Tran Duc Anh Son, Deputy Director of the Institute for Socio-Economic Development (ISED) in Da Nang, donated to Hoang Sa district several documents and old maps that clearly establish Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracels) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos.

The heavy lift vessel Rolldock Storm carrying Vietnam`s sixth Russia-made submarine arrived at Cam Ranh Port in the country`s southcentral coastal Khanh Hoa province.

On January 13, the US Secretary John Kerry met with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, started his visit to Vietnam for 3 days.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is ready to further speed up the process to create a legally binding code of conduct (COC) in the East Sea with China.

Laos and Vietnam reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance border security with a view to boost trade, transportation, tourism and other activities.

French magazine Francophonie Actualites recently released a special issue on the East Sea and the sovereignty of Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagos.

From December 31, 2016 to January 3, 2017, an exhibition themed "Truong Sa in the heart of Hanoi" with 100 photos will be showcased at Trang Tien Exhibition Centre, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman of Vietnam stated that China’s air route to Phu Lam seriously violates Vietnam`s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel archipelago)

While visiting Saigon New Port in HCM City on December 19, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the company needs to work harder to build itself into a leading defence economic unit in Vietnam.

On December 13, Vietnamese officials underlined the importance of border and territorial issues to relations between Vietnam and China at the two countries’ governmental-level negotiation on border and territory in Beijing, China.

Vietnam`s Foreign Ministry Spokesman announced that China`s action cannot change Vietnam`s sovereignty for two archipelagos of Paracels and Spratlys.

The UN General Assembly yesterday convened a plenary meeting at the UN’s headquarters in New York, the US with a focus on Agenda Item 73, themed “Oceans and the law of the sea”.