Vietnam urges relevant nations to act per the international laws, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), said the deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet on April 11.

An Bang Island, part of Vietnam's Truong Sa Archipelago on the East Sea (South China Sea). Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Addressed by the media about Vietnam’s reaction towards recent military drills on the East Sea (South China Sea), Viet said that the sea is an important water area, and it is a must to abide by international laws and preserve peace, stability, security, and freedom for water and air transport in the region.

It is the mutual target and task for all nations in the region, he stressed, adding that Vietnam expects its neighbors to commit to the laws, especially the UNCLOS 1982.

Also at the ministry’s regular press conference, the foreign affairs ministry’s deputy spokesperson was asked about Vietnam’s comment on a plan of the Cambodia Government to build the Funan Techo canal.

In his response, Viet said that Vietnam is fully supportive of all plans which contribute to the socio-economic developments in the nations lying along the Mekong River.

Vietnam looks forward to working with Cambodia and other nations to manage the use of water on the riversides for sustainable growth of the delta region, interests of the people, future of the next generations, and the unity between regional countries, he said.

Stressing Vietnam’s concern over the canal project, Viet said that the Vietnamese Government would want to cooperate with Cambodia to compile a report, assessing the project’s impacts on the delta water and ecological environment, thus ensuring the interests of the nations and people living in the delta region.