FM Spokesman affirms Hoang Sa as an inseparable territory of VN

FM’s Spokesman Le Hai Binh made that statement on May 21 in respond to the question on Viet Nam’s measures to protect its fishermen when China unilaterally bans fishing in the East Sea on May 16.

Viet Nam’s functional agencies will strengthen management and supervision on fishermen’s fishing activities in the waters of Viet Nam to promptly deal with emergent and arising cases.

Regarding to Viet Nam’s response to China’s large-scale construction on reef islands violating Viet Nam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago and bringing a tourist vessel to Hoang Sa archipelago, the spokesman asserted that Viet Nam has full legal foundations and historical evidence to prove its sovereignty on Hoang Sa archipelago. 

All actions of parties at the area without Viet Nam’s permission are illegal and void, he added.
Mentioning to Viet Nam’s viewpoint on Chinese naval ships warning US aircraft flying above the international waters of the East Sea, Mr. Binh affirmed that the East Sea area is a crucial marine route and air corridor in the world.

The maintenance of marine and aeronautical peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea is the joint benefit and aspiration of nations in and outside the region, he added.

We call all related nations to make active and responsible contribution to maintaining maritime and aviation peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea as well as respect sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of coastal nations based on international law and the United Nations on the Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, he said.

By Thuy Dung