Phu Lam island of Vietnam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago is illegally claimed and upgraded by China (Photo: Reuters) KualaLumpur (VNA) – The Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nationson July 29 sent a note verbale to the UN Secretary General, saying China’s claimto the maritime features in the East Sea (internationally known as South ChinaSea) has no basis under international law.
Malaysia’sNote No. HA26/20 refers to Note CML/14/2019 by the Permanent Missionof China to the UN Secretary General.
Itsaid with regard to the China’s assertion in the second and third paragraphs ofits Note Verbale, the Government of Malaysia rejects China's claims to historicrights, or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction, with respect to the maritimeareas of the East Sea encompassed by the relevant part of the 'nine-dash line'as they are contrary to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982UNCLOS) and without lawful effect to the extent that they exceed the geographicand substantive limits of China's maritime entitlements under the Convention.
“Inthis respect, the Government of Malaysia considers that the People's Republicof China's claim to the maritime features in the South China Sea has no basisunder international law. Therefore, the Government of Malaysia rejects in itsentirety the content of the Note Verba le of the People's Republic of China,”according to the note.
Earlier,Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said in a statement inresponse to the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s statement on the East Seaon July 13, that matters relating to the waters must be resolved peacefullybased on the universally recognised principles of international law, includingthe 1982 UNCLOS.
Malaysiawould also continue to play an active role in ensuring that the East Sea remaineda sea of peace and trade.
Malaysiahopes that the next talks will reach a result-oriented Code of Conduct in theEast Sea (COC), he said.
OnJuly 15, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said peace, stability, cooperation, anddevelopment in the East Sea is the aspiration and goal of countries in thewaters and the region as well as the international community.
Therespect of maritime legal order and the full and responsible implementation ofthe 1982 UNCLOS are significant in realising these goals, she said.
Vietnamwelcomes other countries’ stance on the East Sea issue in line withinternational law.
Hangreiterated the view contained in the statement issued at the recent 36th ASEANSummit that the 1982 UNCLOS is a legal framework on all activities at sea.
Vietnam hopes that countries will make effortsto contribute to maintaining peace, stability, and cooperation in the East Seaand settle disputes through dialogues and other peaceful measures, inaccordance with international law and for the common interest, the spokespersonstressed.
Vietnam always actively and responsiblycontributes to the process, she said./.
Malaysia’sNote No. HA26/20 refers to Note CML/14/2019 by the Permanent Missionof China to the UN Secretary General.
Itsaid with regard to the China’s assertion in the second and third paragraphs ofits Note Verbale, the Government of Malaysia rejects China's claims to historicrights, or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction, with respect to the maritimeareas of the East Sea encompassed by the relevant part of the 'nine-dash line'as they are contrary to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982UNCLOS) and without lawful effect to the extent that they exceed the geographicand substantive limits of China's maritime entitlements under the Convention.
“Inthis respect, the Government of Malaysia considers that the People's Republicof China's claim to the maritime features in the South China Sea has no basisunder international law. Therefore, the Government of Malaysia rejects in itsentirety the content of the Note Verba le of the People's Republic of China,”according to the note.
Earlier,Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said in a statement inresponse to the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s statement on the East Seaon July 13, that matters relating to the waters must be resolved peacefullybased on the universally recognised principles of international law, includingthe 1982 UNCLOS.
Malaysiawould also continue to play an active role in ensuring that the East Sea remaineda sea of peace and trade.
Malaysiahopes that the next talks will reach a result-oriented Code of Conduct in theEast Sea (COC), he said.
OnJuly 15, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said peace, stability, cooperation, anddevelopment in the East Sea is the aspiration and goal of countries in thewaters and the region as well as the international community.
Therespect of maritime legal order and the full and responsible implementation ofthe 1982 UNCLOS are significant in realising these goals, she said.
Vietnamwelcomes other countries’ stance on the East Sea issue in line withinternational law.
Hangreiterated the view contained in the statement issued at the recent 36th ASEANSummit that the 1982 UNCLOS is a legal framework on all activities at sea.
Vietnam hopes that countries will make effortsto contribute to maintaining peace, stability, and cooperation in the East Seaand settle disputes through dialogues and other peaceful measures, inaccordance with international law and for the common interest, the spokespersonstressed.
Vietnam always actively and responsiblycontributes to the process, she said./.
VNA
