Vietnam is working to ensure its sovereignty and jurisdiction over the waters to protect its legitimate rights, Deputy Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese  Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said at a press conference today [May 18]. 

Deputy Spokeswoman of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the press conference on May 18. Photo: MoFA

Hang made the statement following the news that some Chinese vessels have intruded into Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea).

In addition, China has opened a hot pot restaurant on Phu Lam (Woody Island) in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago in the East Sea.

Hang said that Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands had been defined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). On this occasion, she reiterated Vietnam’s stance on the sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos.

"Vietnam demanded related parties to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty and international law while closely following the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea and contributing to the negotiations of the Code of Conduct (COC)," she added.

Regarding the restaurant's operation, Hang said Vietnam’s legal basis and evidence confirm its sovereignty over Hoang Sa, in line with international law.