VN opposes China’s recent activities in Hoang Sa
VGP – Viet Nam has sufficient legal foundations and historical evidence asserting its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes in line with international law.
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang made that statement on August 10 in reply to reporters’ question about Viet Nam’s response to China’s recent activities in the area, including celebrations marking six years of the so-called “Sansha city” and installing wave monitoring devices on Phu Lam island. Meanwhile, China Central Television’s (CCTV) children’s channel recently organized a reality TV show for kids on the Hoang Sa archipelago and the Sun Yat-sen University of China also conducted a series of scientific surveys on the Hoang Sa islands.
The aforesaid activities of China have not only seriously violated Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos but also run counter to the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues signed between Viet Nam and China, said Ms. Hang.
These activities have not conformed to the important common perceptions agreed by the two nations’ high-ranking leaders on controlling sea-related disagreements and the solid development trend of their bilateral relationship.
The Spokeswoman added that these activities also go against the spirit and content of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and do not benefit the negotiations between ASEAN and China on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Viet Nam resolutely opposes these actions and demands China immediately stop the mentioned actions; respect Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes; strictly implement the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues along with the DOC; not continue actions that complicate the situation; and practically and actively contribute to developing the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and China for the peace, stability, and cooperation in the East Sea and the region, she added.
A representative of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with a representative from the Chinese Embassy in Viet Nam to discuss this issue, according to Hang./.
By Thuy Dung
