VN responds to Japan’s plan to increase joint patrols in East Sea

Mr. Binh reaffirmed the above consistent position of Viet Nam at the press conference on Thursday while he was asked about the country’s response to the Japanese Defense Minister’s recent statement that Japan will increase joint patrols with the United States in the East Sea.

The Spokesman stressed that the East Sea is the life-line for the region and the world, thus countries inside and outside the region all enjoy benefits and have responsibilities to safeguard peace and stability in the East Sea.

Regarding Taiwan’s construction of some facilities in the Ba Binh island in Viet Nam’s Truong Sa archipelago for military purposes, Spokesman Binh said Vietnamese competent authorities are verifying it while re-affirming Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the archipelago.

Taiwan’s occupation and activities in the area are completely illegal and seriously encroach upon Viet Nam’s sovereignty. Viet Nam resolutely protests against the activities, he said.

For the recent drills jointly conducted by China and Russia, Mr. Binh said that as a coastal country and a signatory of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Viet Nam believes that all activities, including military ones in the East Sea must comply with international law, especially the UNCLOS.

Viet Nam expects that all countries should make positive contributions to maintain peace and stability, ensure security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea and Asia-Pacific as well./.

By Ngoc Van