Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi said all activities of parties in the East Sea must comply with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, respect sovereignty and the sovereign and jurisdiction rights of concerned nations.

Nghi made the statement at the ministry’s regular press briefing in Hanoi on May 9 in response to reporters’ queries on Vietnam’s reaction to China’s deployment of 32 fishing boats to Truong Sa archipelago area on May 6.

Vietnam affirms its sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, and all activities of parties in this area conducted without Vietnam’s approval violate the country’s sovereignty, Nghi said.

He said Vietnam will closely monitor all developments relating to the issue.

On a separate matter, Nghi said Vietnam congratulates Brazilian Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Roberto Azevedo, who has been elected as the new WTO Director General for the 2013 – 2017 tenure.

Vietnam believes that Azevedo will continue consolidating and improving the role of the multilateral trade system in general and the WTO in particular to overcome current challenges and create a drive force for global economic recovery, he said.

Vietnam will continue striving to realise such goals with member countries, Nghi concluded.-VNA