Vice Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang on July 21 stressed the demand that China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has filed a diplomatic protest against China’s unilateral imposition of a fishing moratorium in the East Sea (known in the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea and internationally as the South China Sea).
Three fishermen and their vessel in distress at sea due to bad weather were saved and brought to central Da Nang city on late April 7 by a ship of the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC).
Vietnam has full legal grounds and historical evidence to prove its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes in accordance with international law as stated in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, stated Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang.
Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos have always been sacred integral parts of Vietnam, as the country has historical evidence and a fully legal basis to affirm its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa in accordance with international law.
Vietnam has shown its resolute objection to Taiwan’s military exercises in the territorial waters around Ba Binh island belonging to Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, and demanded Taiwan to end those actions and not to repeat them in the future, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang has said.
Due to complicated historical, geographical, and legal conditions, the East Sea has been the subject of continued disputes between surrounding countries, including Vietnam. Given the situation, the country is required to identify appropriate policies to explore the sea’s potential and also settle the ongoing challenges.
Vietnamese relevant agencies always keep a close watch on developments in the East Sea, and Vietnam has full historical evidence and legal foundations to affirm its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in accordance with international law, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang has affirmed.
Vietnam resolutely and persistently takes measures in accordance with international law to exercise and protect its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes.
Vietnam resolutely protests all violations of its sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang stated at the ministry’s regular press conference held online on June 10.
Deputy Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet underlined Vietnam’s objection to China’s recent fishing ban while detailing Vietnam’s viewpoints on several issues related to the East Sea at the ministry’s regular press conference on April 29.
Vietnam was the first country to have established sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (known as Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spartly) archipelagos when they were unclaimed territories. This is shown in many historical documents as well as ancient Vietnamese and foreign maps.
“The State of Vietnam was the first state in history to exercise its sovereignty over the two archipelagos of Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) since they were ownerless pieces of land, at least since the 17th century. Vietnam has sufficient historical evidence that has legal value to testify to its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa,” an expert has said.
Vietnam demands that China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said at the Foreign Ministry’s regular press conference on December 3.
Storm Goni is forecast to weaken to a tropical depression by 1am on November 6, with its centre on the sea off the coast of the south-central localities from Quang Ngai to Phu Yen, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung on November 2 asked authorised agencies and coastal localities to immediately direct vessels at sea to move to safe shelter and to evacuate people from aquatic farms at sea and at-risk areas to avoid the worst of Typhoon Goni.
Storm Saudel, the eighth to hit the East Sea so far this year, is moving west-northwest with a speed of about 10km per hour and is forecast to gain strength, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.