Vietnam demands China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty on East Sea
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.
A Vietnamese naval soldier on Da Lat Island, Truong Sa archipelago (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi, (VNA) – Vietnam demands that China respect Vietnam’ssovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos,Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said at the Foreign Ministry’sregular press conference on December 3.
All activities without Vietnam’s permission at the Hoang Sa and TruongSa archipelagos violate Vietnam’s sovereignty and international law, thushaving no legal validity, Hang said in reply to a reporter’s question regardingChina’s recent moves in the East Sea.
The reporter mentioned China’s latest moves in the East Sea, including Hainanprovince’s announcement to resume travel tours to Hoang Sa, and the Chinese navyreceiving a hospital ship at the wharf on Da Chu Thap (FieryCross Reef) in Truong Sa archipelago.
Vietnam urges China to cancel and end the organization of tours toVietnam’s Hoang Sa as well as actions that can intensify tension and complicatethe situation, run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in theEast Sea (DOC) and are unfavourable for the maintenance of a peaceful, stableand cooperative environment in the East Sea, countries’ efforts in negotiatinga Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) and the ties between the two countries,Hang said.
She reiterated that Vietnam has full legal grounds and historicalevidence testifying to its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa inaccordance with international law.
Asked to comment on Taiwan (China)’s live-fire drills on November 24 inthe waters around Ba Binh (internationally known as ItuAba) Island in the Truong Sa archipelago of Vietnam, thespokeswoman made clear that Taiwan’s move had seriously violated Vietnam’sterritorial sovereignty over the archipelago, threatened peace, stability, and maritimesafety and security, caused tension and further complicated the situation inthe East Sea.
“Vietnam resolutely opposes to, and demands that Taiwan (China) neither holdthe illegal drills nor repeat the violation in the future,” Hang stressed./.
The 12th South China Sea International Conference, with the theme “Maintaining Peace and Cooperation through a Time of Turbulence”, kicked off on November 16 in both the in-person and online formats.
The disputes in the East Sea (South China Sea) need to be resolved by the concerned parties, with cooperation of the international community as well as the region, said a Vietnamese expert.
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Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
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Vietnam is a country with which Russia shares a special relationship. In the 1950s and 60s, particularly during Vietnam’s struggle for independence, the two countries forged a deep bond. While much has changed over time, the friendship and cooperation between our nations have endured, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A Vietnamese naval soldier on Da Lat Island, Truong Sa archipelago (Photo: VNA) 
