Addressing an international press briefing in Hanoi, the official said these have threatened peace, stability while seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa archipelago. He commented on China’s deployment of weapons to Vietnam’s Phu Lam or Woody Island in Spratly Archipelago and China’s plan on radar system installment in several islands in the region. Mr. Binh re-affirmed that Viet Nam has indisputable sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes.
Vietnam Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh
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“Vietnam has indisputable sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes. Despite opposition and concerns from Vietnam and the world community, China continued to have activities seriously violating Vietnam’s sovereignty, accelerating militarization in the East Sea, threatening peace and stability in the region as well as navigation and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea. We absolutely oppose these activities and ask China to have responsible words and acts conducive to maintaining peace and stability based on international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on Conducts of Parties in the East Sea (DOC)," Binh said.
Recent activities by China in the East Sea have damaged the status quo and China’s militarization in the East Sea was worrisome, said Vietnam Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh. The spokesman voiced Vietnam’s response to US forces patrolling the East Sea and US possible deployment of artillery in the East Sea.
“We repeatedly make clear our view of respecting harmless voyages in the waters in compliance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. We ask all countries to make practical and active contributions to securing peace and stability in the East Sea in line with international law. Vietnam’s independent foreign policy has been praised by the international community, fostering peace and stability in the region," he added.
China’s acitons, regardless of objections and concerns raised by Viet Nam and the global community, not only seriously encroach on Viet Nam’s sovereignty and accelerate militarization in the East Sea, but also threaten peace and stability in the region as well as security, safety and freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh made the statement at the press briefing on Thursday in reply to reporters’ queries on Viet Nam’s reaction to China’s deployment of warplanes to Phu Lam island in Viet Nam’s Hoang Sa archipelago and its radar system on several features in Viet Nam’s Truong Sa archipelago.
Viet Nam strongly opposes to the actions that seriously encroach its sovereignty and demands China have responsible and constructive words and deeds in maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, he said.
Viet Nam has repeatedly stated its viewpoint of respecting innocent passage through the country’s territorial waters in line with relevant rules of international law, especially the UNCLOS, he said. Viet Nam called on contries to make constructive and practical contributions to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea and the region on the basis of the UN Charter, international law and the UNCLOS.
The activities, which are performed by Vietnamese competent agencies, have always contributed to peace and stability in the region and the world at large. Asked what Viet Nam’s viewpoint would be if it is suggested the country should join a patrol with the US and its allies, Mr. Binh said Viet Nam has conducted normal activities in the region in accordance with the country’s law, and international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS.
