(VOVworld) – Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi has given Vietnam’s reaction to China’s recent  demands for the cessation of Russian oil exploration in the East Sea. Nghi told a regular media conference in Hanoi on Thursday: “Vietnam’s joint projects with its foreign oil partners, including Gazprom, are situated in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and on its continental shelf. This area is in under Vietnam sovereignty and jurisdiction, in line with international laws, namely the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Vietnam welcomes foreign partners to develop Vietnam’s oil and gas in its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf on a basis of Vietnam’s laws. We are committed to and responsible for protecting the legitimate rights and interests of our foreign partners working in Vietnam”. 

Regarding the 21 Vietnamese fishermen arrested by China, the spokesperson insisted that China must respect Vietnam’s position and meet its demands  without affecting bilateral ties.

Asked about Pyongyang’s planned satellite launch, Nghi said that Vietnam is concerned over the tensions surrounding the launch and wants to see a peaceful, stable and prosperous Korean peninsula. He stressed on the need to adhere to UN Security Council’s resolutions, including resolution 1874 for peace and stability in the region and the world at large.