Vietnam has demanded no violations of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the East Sea after China announced military drills in the six-nautical mile area that covers Vietnamese waters.
On Mar 4, China’s Hainan Maritime Safety Administration said it would launch military training in the sea of Hainan Island from the same day until Mar 15, warning foreign ships to stay away.
| Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: MOFA |
“Vietnam asked China to respect and not violate Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and not to take actions that might complicate the situation, so as to contribute to maintaining peace, security and stability in Vietnam and East Sea (referring to the South China Sea),” Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today [Mar 7].
“Part of the area is well within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982,” Hang added.
She noted that Vietnam has communicated with China on this issue.
China routinely conducts military exercises in the South China Sea. Each and every time, Hanoi criticized Beijing for infringing on Vietnam’s sovereignty.
