(VOVworld) – Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Cuong said that China’s illegal deployment of oil rig Haiyang 981 and escort ships in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf violates Vietnam’s sovereignty, international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Speaking to CNN on Thursday, Cuong said China is making facts and trying to turn an undisputed area into a disputed area, which is unacceptable.

Vietnamese Ambassador condemns China’s illegal oil rig on CNN

In regard to Vietnam’s foreign policy, Cuong said Vietnam pursues an independent foreign policy and hopes to maintain friendly relations with China, US, and other countries but will not tolerate coercion or threats. He underscored Vietnamese people’s determination to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that Vietnamese people around the world are well aware that the nothing is more precious than independence and freedom.