Defend the sovereignty

Sea law experts and researchers, policy makers, diplomats and scholars have agreed on the need to address disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 and the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

At a regular press conference of Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spokesman Le Hai Binh said Vietnam protests Chinese ships attacking fishing boats of Vietnamese fishermen.

On March 15, Vietnamese expats living across Europe sent the European Parliament (EP) an open letter expressing their concerns over Chinese unilateral moves that have provoked escalating tension in the East Sea. ​

A photographic exhibition featuring the beauty of homeland of the Hoang Sa Flotilla, the central coastal province of Quang Ngai, was opened at the Vietnam`s Center for Archive and Photographic Exhibition in Hanoi on March 12.

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in collaboration with the Vietnam Navy launched the “Truong Sa xanh” (Green Truong Sa) programme for the 2016-2018 period on March 10.

The Cam Ranh International Port in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa was inaugurated at a ceremony on March 8.

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) Presidential Council asserts its absolute support for Vietnam as well as the country’s efforts to protect the national sovereignty and sovereign right in the East Sea by peaceful means in line with the UN Charter and international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

On March 3, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh was speaking at a regular press conference while replying reporters’ question about Vietnam’s next steps in response to China’s continuation of moves causing tensions in the East Sea.

An exhibition of historical evidence proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos opened in the northern port city of Hai Phong on March 2.

Singapore has suggested a new concept called the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) to parties involved to avoid accidental miscalculations that could lead to conflict at sea.

An exhibition of historical evidence proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos opened in the northern port city of Hai Phong on March 2.

On February 25, Vietnam Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh voiced Vietnam’s response to China’s deployment of weapons to Vietnam’s Phu Lam or Woody Island in Spratly Archipelago.

A seminar titled “East Sea: security and economic implications” took place in New Delhi, India on February 24, attracting prestigious scholars from India and diplomatic corps from Russia, Japan, Australia and Singapore.

US Secretary of State John Kerry announced on February 23 that the militarisation of facilities in the East Sea does not help resolve maritime claims.

On February 24, a seminar titled “East Sea: security and economic implications” took place in New Delhi, India, attracting prestigious scholars from India and diplomatic corps from Russia, Japan, Australia and Singapore.

Vietnam demands China end its wrongful activities on Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago, said Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Le Hai Binh on February 19.

On February 16, on the sidelines of the US - ASEAN Summit at Sunnylands, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung had a meeting lasting 40 minutes with US President Barack Obama to discuss major cooperative areas between the two countries as well as international and regional issues of mutual concern.

Spring has come to every corner in Vietnam. Tet atmosphere has covered all the islands on Truong Sa archipelago.

On January 31, Foreign Ministry`s Spokesman Le Hai Binh spoke about the US’s conduct of a freedom of navigation operation within 12 nautical miles of Tri Ton Island in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel).

Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh made the statement in Hanoi on January 28 in reply to reporters’ questions on Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou`s visit to Ba Binh island which belongs to the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.