The operation of Chinese ships within the territorial waters of Sinh Ton Dong island in the Spratly has violated Vietnam’s sovereignty (Source: AP) Hanoi (VNA) – China must end its violation of Vietnam’ssovereignty in the East Sea, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang saidin response to a reporter’s question about Vietnam’s position regarding Chineseships operating at the Bai Ba Dau (Whitsun Reef) in Vietnam’s Truong Sa(Spratly) archipelago.
At a regular press conference of the ministry on March 25, thespokesperson stressed that Vietnam has sufficient legal grounds and historicalevidence to affirm its sovereignty over Truong Sa in accordance with internationallaw.
She went on to say that as a coastal country and a member of the1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Vietnam is entitled to sovereignty,sovereign rights and jurisdiction over waters established in accordance withthe UNCLOS.
“The operation of Chinese ships within the territorial waters ofSinh Ton Dong island in the Spratly has violated Vietnam’s sovereignty and theUNCLOS’s stipulation on the operation of foreign vessels in the territorialwaters of coastal nations, ran counter to the spirit and content of theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and complicatedthe situation which is unfavourable for the process of negotiations between theASEAN and China on a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC),” thespokesperson stressed.
Vietnam demands that China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty, implementthe UNCLOS with good will, seriously comply with the DOC, especially theobligation of self-restraint so as to not complicate the situation and tocreate a favourable environment for the COC negotiation, thus contributing tothe maintenance of peace, security, stability and legal order at sea in theregion, Hang said./.
