Spokesperson Le Hai Binh
(VOVworld) - Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said recent activities by China in the East Sea have damaged the status quo and China’s militarization in the East Sea was worrisome. Speaking in an international press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday, Le Hai Binh, said these have threatened peace, stability while seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty. He commented on China’s deployment of weapons to Vietnam’s Phu Lam or Woody Island in Hoang Sa Archipelago and China’s plan on radar system installment in a number of islands in Truong Sa archipelago: “Vietnam has undisputable sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes. Despite opposition and concerns from Vietnam and the world community, China continued to have activities seriously violating Vietnam’s sovereignty, accelerating militarization in the East Sea, threatening peace and stability in the region as well as navigation and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea. We absolutely oppose these activities and ask China to have responsible words and acts conducive to maintaining peace and stability based on international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.”

The spokesman voiced Vietnam’s response to US forces patrolling the East Sea and US possible deployment of artillery in the East Sea: “We repeatedly make clear our view of respecting harmless voyages in the waters in compliance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. We ask all countries to make practical and active contribution to securing peace and stability in the East Sea in line with international law. Vietnam’s independent foreign policy has been praised by the international community, fostering peace and stability in the region.”