VN confirms sovereignty over Hoàng Sa and Trường Sa Archipelagos
VNGOP - Việt Nam strongly protests the Chinese State Council’s approval to set up San Sha City in Hainan Island to manage three archipelagos in the East Sea, including Việt Nam’s Hoàng Sa (Paracel) and Trường Sa (Spratly), said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lê Dũng.
The Spokesman made the statement on December 3 in reply to the VNA’s question about Việt Nam’s response to China’s approval to found the district-level administrative city.
Việt Nam has adequate historical evidence and sufficient legal basis to proclaim its sovereignty over both Hoàng Sa and Trường Sa, confirmed Mr. Lê Dũng.
He stressed that the action seriously violates Việt Nam’s sovereignty, adding that it is incommensurate with the common understanding of Việt Nam and China’s senior leaders and not favorable for negotiations between the two countries as they seek basic and long-term solutions on sea-related issues.
“Việt Nam has a consistent policy of resolving sea-related disputes through peaceful negotiations and in accordance with international laws and practices, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2002 Declaration of the Conduct of Parties, in order to maintain peace and stability in the region,” said the Spokesman.
