The Vietnamese Embassy in China is continuing to demand the countryunconditionally return a seized Vietnamese fishing vessel, said ForeignMinistry Spokesman Le Hai Binh at a regular press conference on June 25.
He said according to the embassy, the China CoastGuard informed the office on June 19 that it seized 17 fishermen and twofishing ships from central Quang Binh province, QB93694TS andQB93480TS.
The Vietnamese Embassy visited thedetained citizens, worked closely with local agencies and requestedChina immediately free the vessels and fishermen.
According to latest information from relevant agencies, the 17 fishermenand boat QB93480TS have arrived back in Vietnam safely, Binh said,adding that the embassy is continuing to demand China return QB93694TSunconditionally.
Regarding China’s alleged forcingof the fishermen to sign documents recognising China’s sovereignty inthe East Sea, the Foreign Ministry ordered the Vietnamese Embassy toclarify the information to determine the appropriate response, he noted.
At the press conference, reporters questioned arecent statement of Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang thatChina’s island construction and reclamation in the East Sea are withinthe scope of the country’s sovereignty.
Binh saidChina’s large-scale construction and expansion of islands and reefs inTruong Sa (Spratly) archipelago is illegal and cannot change the factthat Vietnam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidenceproving its sovereignty over this chain of islands.
Vietnam requests China immediately halt these activities, respectVietnam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa (Paracel)archipelagos, comply seriously with international law – especially the1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declarationon the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea – and not take any actions tocomplicate the situation and the status quo in the waters, thespokesman stressed.
Meanwhile, the Chinese newspaperPeople’s Daily ran an article saying in case of emergency, China willconvert all civilian maritime ships for military use.
Responding to this issue, Binh underlined that Vietnam hopes as apermanent member of the UN Security Council and an important player inthe region, China will make responsible and constructive contributionsto maintaining regional and international peace and stability.-VNA
He said according to the embassy, the China CoastGuard informed the office on June 19 that it seized 17 fishermen and twofishing ships from central Quang Binh province, QB93694TS andQB93480TS.
The Vietnamese Embassy visited thedetained citizens, worked closely with local agencies and requestedChina immediately free the vessels and fishermen.
According to latest information from relevant agencies, the 17 fishermenand boat QB93480TS have arrived back in Vietnam safely, Binh said,adding that the embassy is continuing to demand China return QB93694TSunconditionally.
Regarding China’s alleged forcingof the fishermen to sign documents recognising China’s sovereignty inthe East Sea, the Foreign Ministry ordered the Vietnamese Embassy toclarify the information to determine the appropriate response, he noted.
At the press conference, reporters questioned arecent statement of Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang thatChina’s island construction and reclamation in the East Sea are withinthe scope of the country’s sovereignty.
Binh saidChina’s large-scale construction and expansion of islands and reefs inTruong Sa (Spratly) archipelago is illegal and cannot change the factthat Vietnam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidenceproving its sovereignty over this chain of islands.
Vietnam requests China immediately halt these activities, respectVietnam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa (Paracel)archipelagos, comply seriously with international law – especially the1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declarationon the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea – and not take any actions tocomplicate the situation and the status quo in the waters, thespokesman stressed.
Meanwhile, the Chinese newspaperPeople’s Daily ran an article saying in case of emergency, China willconvert all civilian maritime ships for military use.
Responding to this issue, Binh underlined that Vietnam hopes as apermanent member of the UN Security Council and an important player inthe region, China will make responsible and constructive contributionsto maintaining regional and international peace and stability.-VNA
