Vietnam persists with protection of sovereignty in East Sea

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang has reiterated Vietnam’s resolve to consistently safeguard its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea as defined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) through peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang

The official made the affirmation on July 25 in response to a reporter’s query regarding Chinese geological survey vessel group Haiyang Dizhi 8’s recent activities violating Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the south of the East Sea, which fully belongs to Vietnam in conformity with the 1982 UNCLOS, to which both Vietnam and China are members.

Vietnam have contacted the Chinese side for many times through different channels, handed over diplomatic notes to voice objection to China’s violations and asked China to immediately withdraw all vessels from Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone.

Vietnam’s competent forces have taken a score of proper measures, the spokeswoman said while stating that  maintaining peace and stability as well as ensuring freedom of aviation and navigation, complying with the law and respecting sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of nations as stipulated in the 1982 UNCLOS are the common interests and responsibilities of countries and the international community.

“Vietnam welcomes and is ready to join efforts with countries and the international community to carry out the foresaid target for peace, stability, cooperation and development of all nations in the region and the world,” Hang emphasized.

Responding to reporters’ query on the new US Secretary of Defence the same day, Hang highlighted the growing Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership across multiple areas, including national defence and security,

“We hope that the new US Secretary of Defence will make great contributions to the Vietnam-US relations, especially in national defence,” she said.

Mark Esper was sworn in as US Secretary of Defence after receiving Senate confirmation on July 23, according to foreign media.

VOV