WORDS ON THE STREET 70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day Vietnam - Asia 2023 Smart City Summit Hanoi celebrates 15 years of administrative boundary adjustment 12th Vietnam-France decentrialized cooperation conference 31st Sea Games - Vietnam 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic
Home / Defend the sovereignty
China must immediately halt construction on Vietnamese islands: Spokesman
10:27, 2015/05/30
Vietnam demands China to immediately stop the construction currently underway on Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh said with regard to China’s erection of two lighthouses on Truong Sa islands.
During a regular press conference held on May 28, Binh stressed that Vietnam has sufficient legal and historical evidence to prove its sovereignty over the two archipelagos. 
The lighthouse building effort undertaken by China violates Vietnam’s sovereignty as well as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), which the ASEAN member states and China signed in 2002. 
Vietnam requested China to adhere to internationally recognised principles, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and the DOC, and restrain from actions that complicate the East Sea situation, he said. 

 
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh speaks at a regular press conference
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh speaks at a regular press conference
On May 26, China unveiled its first white military strategy paper that includes a provision to protect its buildings construction on the artificial islands in Truong Sa archipelago. 
Binh emphasised that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a key regional stakeholder, China needs to respect the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the involved countries, comply with international law, and contribute responsibly and constructively to maintaining regional and global peace, stability, and security. 
Recently, Australian media outlets reported that Government officials were concerned over China moving weaponry onto the artificial islands built illegaly in the East Sea. The spokesman said Vietnamese authorised agencies are closely following the events in these waters. 
The East Sea is a shipping route and an international flight corridor of critical importance, he noted, adding that Vietnam hopes the involved parties will sustain peace, stability, and maritime security and safety in the waters in compliance with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the DOC.
Other news
18:15, 2024/12/19
Highlights of Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024
A display of defense innovations at the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024.
20:04, 2024/12/03
Vietnamese Pho continues to spread its international reach
Pho has followed Vietnamese people around the globe as a traditional dish loved by many foreigners, contributing to honoring the culinary culture of the “S-shaped country”.
17:10, 2024/10/25
Hanoi students honored for creative logo celebrating German-Vietnamese ties
The red, yellow and black logo designed by two students from Hanoi has won the logo design competition to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam.
10:44, 2024/10/06
Vietnam condemns violence by Chinese authorities in Hoang Sa
Vietnam expresses its discontent and vehement objection to the brutal actions of Chinese law enforcement authorities in the Hoang Sa archipelago, which have resulted in Vietnamese fishermen being injured, their lives threatened and their property damaged.
19:03, 2024/09/14
Hanoi set to pilot centralized government services
The centralized building and those of its branches for government services would be equipped with the latest facilities and technologies.
15:15, 2024/09/02
Vietnam National Day: Insights from expats
Vietnam’s glorious history and national pride on National Day has captivated international friends in Hanoi.