Vietnam requests China to withdraw vessels from its waters

Deputy Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Source: VNA)

Vietnam demands that China withdraw its research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 10, Coast Guard vessels, and fishing vessels from Vietnam's waters, Deputy Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on May 25.

She made the call in response to a reporter’s question on Vietnam's reaction to the illegal operation of Chinese vessels in Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the East Sea recently.

Hang affirmed that Vietnam's EEZ was established in accordance with stipulations of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies have communicated many times with the Chinese side and implemented measures in line with international law and Vietnamese law to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnam are respected.

Vietnam requested relevant agencies on the Chinese side to comply with the common perceptions of the two countries' leaders and immediately stop the violation, withdraw the research vessel and other coast guard ships and fishing vessels from Vietnamese waters. Vietnam also urged China to respect Vietnam's sovereign rights and jurisdiction, strictly implement the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), maintain peace, cooperation, and development in the East Sea, and contribute to the development of the relations between the two countries.

Hang also voiced the country’s objection to the China Maritime Safety Administration's placement of three light buoys on some entities in Truong Sa (Spratly) of Vietnam.

Replying to reporters’ question about the placement by the China Maritime Safety Administration under the Chinese Ministry of Transport, Hang stressed that Vietnam has sufficient legal grounds and historical evidence testifying to its sovereignty over Truong Sa as well as Hoang Sa (Paracel) in line with international law.

The installation of the light buoys on entities in Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission is an infringement of Vietnam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa, so the move is invalid, she stated.

Vietnam demands the parties concerned not take any actions that may complicate the situation but respect Vietnam’s sovereignty, international law, the UNCLOS 1982 and the DOC, and maintain an environment of peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea, the official added.

VNA