HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam opposes and resolutely rejects China’s unilateral decision to adjust regulations on a fishing break at sea, including some territorial waters of Việt Nam, said the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s spokeswoman Lê Thị Thu Hằng.

Hằng made the statement at a press conference in Hà Nội on March 22, in response to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s reporter’s query related to the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture’s announcement of the adjustments to the regulations.

The spokeswoman stressed Việt Nam has sufficient legal ground and historical evidence affirming its sovereignty over Hoàng Sa (Paracel) and Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes, as well as legitimate rights over its waters in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

These regulations violate Việt Nam’s sovereignty over Hoàng Sa archipelago, and the country’s legal rights and interests over its waters, as well as international law, including the UNCLOS, she said.

Hằng said China’s decision is contrary to the spirit and wording of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea signed between Việt Nam and China.

She added it does not conform with the important agreement on well controlling disputes at sea reached by the two countries’ leaders, and brings no benefits to peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea and the fruitful development trend of Việt Nam -China relations, as well as efforts of countries in negotiating a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Việt Nam protests Chinese Taiwan’s live-fire drills on Ba Bình Island

The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson also said Taiwan (China)’s repeated launch of live-fire drills in the waters surrounding Ba Bình Island in Việt Nam’s Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelago seriously violated the territorial sovereignty of Việt Nam over the archipelago.

That action also threatened peace, stability, maritime safety and security, caused tensions and complicated the situation in the East Sea, the spokesperson said while responding to reporters’ question about the recent live-fire drill of Taiwan in Ba Bình island area.

“Once again, Việt Nam resolutely opposes Taiwan’s moves and requests it to not repeat similar actions,” Hằng said.

“Việt Nam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidence testifying to its sovereignty over Hoàng Sa (Paracel) and Trường Sa archipelagos,” she stressed.

Việt Nam supports constructive efforts to peace in Korean Peninsula

Answering queries on the possibility of the organisation of a high-level meeting between the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Hằng said Việt Nam supports constructive efforts to deal with disputes through peaceful dialogue, contributing to peace, security and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the world as a whole.

“Việt Nam is willing to make positive contributions to promoting dialogue, maintaining peace, security and stability in the Korean Peninsula,” she declared. — VNS