Any activities violating Vietnam’s sovereignty rights on the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands are illegal and void.

Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at a press conference on May 27 in response to a recent announcement from the Filipino government to repair and upgrade logistics infrastructures on the Thitu Island, where is a part of the Spratly archipelago.

Thitu Island is known as Pag-asa in the Philippines. It is simultaneously claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines, and China.

Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang.

“Vietnam has historical evidence and legal basis to claim its sovereignty on the Spratly Islands that are in line with international law,” said Hang, while calling for related parties to respect Vietnam’s rights and international laws, as well as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the 1982 UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“It is important that other countries should not further complicate the situation but contribute substantially to maintain peace, stability on the East Sea [known as the South China Sea] and create the right environment for the negotiation of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea (COC),” she suggested.

“Keeping peace, stability, security, freedom of the sea and air navigations are the responsibilities and desire for all countries and the international community. In this process, Vietnam expects all parties to be responsible in this regard,” Hang noted.

Welcoming Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act

Mentioning US President Joe Biden’s recent signing of the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act that is aimed at stopping hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Hang said Vietnam pays attention and gives priority to ensuring stability, security, and lawful rights for overseas Vietnamese.

“Bearing this in mind, we welcome US President in signing off the Act,” Hang stressed.

“Vietnam hopes the Vietnamese community in the US as well as all Asian Americans to be treated equally and have fair access to job opportunities, educational and health services, so that they could continue to contribute positively to each country’s socio-economic development and the US-Vietnam comprehensive partnership,” Hang concluded.