Vietnam protests China sending hospital ship to Hoang Sa

China's hospital ship You Ai. Photo: PLA — China's Friendship Hospital Ship

"Vietnam resolutely opposes all activities that violate sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago," said Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet at a press conference on May 23, when asked about the information that China sent a hospital ship to Hoang Sa.

Chinese media reported on May 22 that the hospital ship You Ai of the Southern Theater Command had arrived at many entities in the Paracel Islands to check the health of soldiers stationed illegally there.

The Huu Ai ship also participates in training for transferring injured people in emergency situations, first aid on the front lines, and assisting damaged ships at sea. This is a Type-919 class ship, with a displacement of 4,000-5,000 tons, a length of about 100 meters, and a helicopter landing deck.

Mr. Viet declared that Vietnam has sufficient historical evidence and legal basis to affirm its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos, in accordance with international law as well as its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the sea areas established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

When asked about China's issuance of regulations allowing the coast guard to "arrest foreigners suspected of violating the border" at sea, Mr. Viet said, "Vietnam is always determined and persistent in protecting Vietnam's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in maritime areas, as well as the legitimate interests of Vietnamese citizens in accordance with UNCLOS 1982 and Vietnamese law."

On May 15, China issued a regulation allowing its coast guard to administratively detain foreigners suspected of “crossing maritime borders” for up to 30 days. For complicated cases, the coast guard can extend the detention period to 60 days. The regulation took effect on May 16 and applies to waters claimed by China.

Chinese officials unilaterally drew a dotted line to claim unreasonable sovereignty over almost the entire area of the East Sea, in defiance of international law and world public opinion.

TN (according to VnE)

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