Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh
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Responding to reporters’ question regarding China’s announcement of the time, area and measures for implementing a moratorium from noon of May 16 to noon of August 1, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh stressed that “Vietnam determinedly objects to and refutes this void decision”.
The moratorium covers the sea areas, including Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, under Vietnam’s sovereignty in the East Sea. The announcement was publicised on the portal of the administration of Haikou city in the Chinese province of Hainan, and on some online newspapers from China.
He added that Vietnam has sufficient legal foundations and historical evidence testifying to its sovereignty over Hoang Sa archipelago, as well as its legitimate rights over its sea areas, which are specified in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
That action by China has seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa archipelago, infringed Vietnam’s legitimate rights and interests in its sea areas, and run counter to the spirit and wording of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
