Vietnam resolved to fight violations of its sea areas—spokeswoman

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Lê Thị Thu Hằng. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

HANOI — Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang reiterated on Tuesday Vietnam’s determination to peacefully struggle against violations of its sovereignty, rights and jurisdiction over its sea areas.

She made the remark in response to several Vietnamese and foreign reporters’ questions about recent developments in the East Sea.

Hằng said: “Vietnam has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the sea areas in the East Sea that were specified in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which Vietnam and the countries bordering the East Sea are parties.”

“Therefore, all activities of other countries in Vietnam’s sea areas must comply with the relevant regulations of the UNCLOS and Vietnam’s law,” she said, noting that without Vietnam’s permission, all activities of foreign countries in its waters violate international law.

“Vietnam attaches utmost importance to peace, friendship, co-operation and goodwill and is ready to resolve disputes and disagreements by peaceful measures,” she added.

In the recent past, the country had taken peaceful measures to address issues and demanded foreign sides respect its sea areas as well as its rights and legitimate interests, and to avoid taking action that complicate the situation.

Vietnamese forces at sea had been exercising the nation’s jurisdiction in a peaceful manner in accordance with the law to defend the country’s waters, Hang said.