Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokeswomanLe Thi Thu Hang on August 10 voiced Vietnam’s resolute objection to China’srecent activities in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago and reiterated Vietnam’ssovereignty over the islands.
Hang made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regardingChina’s recent activities in the area, including celebrations marking six yearsof the so-called “Sansha city” and installing wave monitoring devices on PhuLam island. Meanwhile, China Central Television’s (CCTV) children’s channel recentlyorganised a reality TV show for kids on the Hoang Sa archipelago. The Sun Yat-senUniversity of China also conducted a series of scientific surveys on the HoangSa islands.
Hang said Vietnam has sufficient legal foundations andhistorical evidence affirming its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa(Spratly) archipelagoes in line with international law.
“The aforementioned actions of China have notonly seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Saarchipelagos but also run counter to the agreement on basic principles guidingthe settlement of sea-related issues between the Socialist Republic of Vietnamand the People’s Republic of China; not conformed to the important commonperceptions of the two countries’ senior leaders on well controllingsea-related disagreements; as well as disobeyed the solid development trend ofthe bilateral relations.”
She added that these actions are also “contrary to the spiritand content of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC)and do not benefit the negotiations between ASEAN and China on a Code ofConduct in the East Sea (COC), as well as the maintaining of an environment ofpeace, stability, cooperation, and development in the East Sea and the region.”
“Vietnam resolutely opposes these actions anddemands China to immediately stop the aforementioned activities; respectVietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes; seriouslyimplement the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement ofsea-related issues between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People’sRepublic of China, along with the DOC; not continue actions that complicate thesituation; and practically and actively contribute to developing the friendshipand comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China for the sake of peace,stability, and cooperation in the East Sea and the region,” the spokeswomansaid.
A representative of the Vietnamese Ministry of ForeignAffairs met with a representative of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam to talkabout this issue, Hang added.–VNA
VNA
