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Vietnam protests Chinese Defense Minister’s “people's war at sea" call

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Aug 05, 2016 / 10:09 AM

On August 4, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh said at the Ministry`s press conference in response to reporters’ query on Viet Nam’s reaction to Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan’s recent call for increased preparations for a “people`s war at sea" that officials needs to speak and act in accordance with official statements as well as their countries’ obligations.

The Spokesman stressed that peace and stability in the East Sea is the common interest and aspiration of countries inside and outside the region and all disputes in the East Sea must be settled peacefully on the basis of international law without using or threatening to use force.

Mr. Binh said foreign officials need to speak and act in line with their countries’ official statements as well as their obligations of respecting international law and contributing actively to peace and stability in the region and the world. He made the remark while responding to information about the Chinese Defence Minister’s call upon the country’s army, police and people to prepare for a war at sea. 

Regarding the fact that China has launched a website on the East Sea, the Spokesman said it does not change the fact that Vietnam has indisputable sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos. Mr. Binh reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of resolving disputes in the East Sea through peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the UNCLOS and diplomatic and legal processes.

“Peace and stability in the East Sea is the interest and aspiration of all countries within and outside of the region. Disputes in the waters must be resolved peacefully on the basis of international law, and without use of or threat to use force,” he said. 

Regarding a statement from the Supreme People’s Court of China saying that China will actively exercise jurisdiction to protect its territorial sovereignty and navigation interests, including jailing illegal fishermen, the spokesman said: “The treatment of fishermen working in the East Sea must comply with international law and agreements reached between countries, and take on the humanitarian spirit.” 

“Vietnam reserves the necessary measures for protecting its fishermen’s legitimate interests in line with international law and practice,” he said. In terms of China’s construction of a cemetery in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, Binh reiterated that: “Vietnam has sufficient legal foundations and historical evidence testifying to its sovereignty over Hoang Sa archipelago.” 

“All activities of other parties in areas within Hoang Sa, regardless of intentions, are illegal and do not change Vietnam’s sovereignty over this archipelago.” Meanwhile, China recently opened a website on the East Sea which calls Vietnam’s Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) by the names Xisha and Nansha of China. 

Spokesman Binh made it clear that: “This action by China does not change the fact that Vietnam has indisputable sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.” “Officials of countries need to speak and act in accordance with official statements as well as their nations’ obligations, which are respecting international law, not using or threatening to use force, and actively contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world,” Binh stressed.
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