Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh has urged China to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty and international law in response to reporters’ question relating to recent actions by China in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh 

Vietnam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidence testifying to its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, Binh said on March 13 when asked about Vietnam’s reaction to reports that China organised an illegal tourism route to Hoang Sa archipelago and a Chinese coast guard vessel pursued a fishing ship coded QNg 95215 TS of Vietnam in the area of Bach Quy (Passu Keah) Island in Hoang Sa.

“Those actions by China seriously infringed Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa archipelago, violated international law, ran counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) signed in 2002 between ASEAN and China as well as the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Vietnam and China signed in October 2011,” the spokesperson stressed. 

He went on to say that Vietnam adamantly objects (to those actions) and requests China to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty and international law. 

China must immediately stop and not repeat those activities, in order to make constructive contribution to maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea, Binh said.

VNA