On the afternoon of March 28, at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Spokesperson Nguyen Duc Thang answered a number of reporters' questions related to the recent situation in the East Sea.

Regarding the request to state Vietnam's viewpoint on some activities of China and the Philippines in the Sandy Cay area, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Duc Thang said: "As has been affirmed many times, Vietnam has full legal basis and historical evidence to affirm Vietnam's sovereignty over the Truong Sa archipelago in accordance with international law as well as sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over maritime zones established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."

According to the Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the fact that relevant parties allowed people to land on entities under Vietnam's sovereignty without Vietnam's permission is an act of violating Vietnam's sovereignty, further complicating the situation, and going against the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as the efforts of countries in negotiating the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea at present.

Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Duc Thang answered at a press conference this afternoon. Photo: Minh Nhat

"Vietnam requests that relevant parties respect Vietnam's sovereignty over the Truong Sa archipelago, not take actions that complicate the situation, comply with international law, seriously implement the DOC and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea," said the Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the same time, Vietnam also pledged to be ready, together with relevant parties, to resolve disputes over territorial sovereignty in the East Sea, including the Truong Sa archipelago, by peaceful means.

Sandy Cay is a coral reef in the Thi Tu cluster of the Spratly Islands.

Regarding Vietnam's request for comment on the recent collision between a Chinese ship and a Philippine supply ship at Second Thomas Shoal, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "We have spoken on this issue. We are very concerned about the recent tensions in the East Sea."

Vietnam calls on relevant parties to exercise utmost restraint, seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), resolve disputes through peaceful measures, and jointly contribute to maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea.

The Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that all claims and activities in the East Sea must comply with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), respect the sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of countries established in accordance with UNCLOS, refrain from actions that complicate the situation, increase tensions, ensure freedom of navigation and aviation, and refrain from using force or threatening to use force.

Vietnam resolutely opposes and rejects all illegal claims regarding the East Sea.

Vietnam resolutely opposes and rejects all illegal claims regarding the East Sea.

In response to the statement of the Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Statement of the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the East Sea issue, the Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave his opinion.
Vietnam concerned about 'tension between China and Philippines at Second Thomas Shoal'

Vietnam concerned about 'tension between China and Philippines at Second Thomas Shoal'

Vietnam is very concerned about recent tensions in the East Sea, calling on parties involved in the tension at Second Thomas Shoal to exercise restraint.