Hang made the statement at a press conference in Hanoi on March 22, in response to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s reporter’s query related to the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture’s announcement of the adjustments to the regulations.
The spokeswoman stressed Vietnam has sufficient legal ground and historical evidence affirming its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes, as well as legitimate rights over its waters in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
These regulations violate Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoàng Sa archipelago, and the country’s legal rights and interests over its waters, as well as international law, including the UNCLOS, she said.
Hang said China’s decision is contrary to the spirit and wording of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea signed between Vietnam and China.
She added it does not conform with the important agreement on well controlling disputes at sea reached by the two countries’ leaders, and brings no benefits to peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea and the fruitful development trend of Vietnam -China relations, as well as efforts of countries in negotiating a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Vietnam protests Chinese Taiwan’s live-fire drills on Ba Binh Island
The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson also said Taiwan (China)’s repeated launch of live-fire drills in the waters surrounding Ba Bình Island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago seriously violated the territorial sovereignty of Vietnam over the archipelago.
That action also threatened peace, stability, maritime safety and security, caused tensions and complicated the situation in the East Sea, the spokesperson said while responding to reporters’ question about the recent live-fire drill of Taiwan in Ba Binh island area.
“Once again, Vietnam resolutely opposes Taiwan’s moves and requests it to not repeat similar actions,” Hang said.
“Vietnam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidence testifying to its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa archipelagos,” she stressed.
Vietnam supports constructive efforts to peace in Korean Peninsula
Answering queries on the possibility of the organisation of a high-level meeting between the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Hang said Vietnam supports constructive efforts to deal with disputes through peaceful dialogue, contributing to peace, security and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the world as a whole.
“Vietnam is willing to make positive contributions to promoting dialogue, maintaining peace, security and stability in the Korean Peninsula,” she declared.
