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
Vietnam statement on South China Sea “strong” and “frank”
Linh Pham 15:49, 2019/08/05
Hanoi called Beijing`s recent moves in the sea "illegal" and "serious violations".
Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh has delivered several statements at the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) on the South China Sea issues which is deemed to be “strong” and “frank”. 
 
Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh at the 52 AMM. Photo: VGP
Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh at the 52 AMM. Photo: VGP
The statements were made at the AMM-52 held in Bangkok, Thailand on July 31-August 3 in a spirit of cooperation and friendship, receiving support from many countries, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung.

Th South China Sea (SCS) issues have caught attention at this year’s AMM following recent developments in the sea, mostly the deployment of the Chinese survey ship Haiyang Dizhi 8 and escorts within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, Dung said in an interview with the Government Portal. 

Many ministers at the bloc’s annual event showed their concerns over the SCS situation and highlighted the importance of maintaining peace, safety, security and free maritime and air navigation in the SCS, demanding related parties to comply with international law, Dung noted. 

Speaking at the launching of the AMM, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh expressed concerns over Chinese infringement upon Vietnamese territorial waters and warned of the regional tensions if China takes next steps which complicate the situation.  

In his statement delivered at the forum, Minh blamed China of “serious violations” and Chinese activities are totally “illegal”. He spoke highly of the bloc’s unity in dealing with activities which are illegal and violate other country's sovereignty and leave the region under threats. 

At a meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the event, Minh called for efforts to solve the issues in a peaceful manner on the basis of international laws, including the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Wang said China values its relationship with Vietnam and strives to maintain the two countries’ amicable relationship, while agreeing to exchange opinions and reasonably resolve issues in the relationship, according to VnExpress.

Since early July, Chinese oil survey ship Haiyang Dizhi 8 and its escorts have been operating near Vietnams Bai Tu Chinh (Vanguard Bank) in the south of the SCS, which is called the East Sea in Vietnam, obviously infringing upon the Vietnam’s territorial waters.
Other news
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.
18:28, 2024/08/01
Musical featuring the Spratlys to be aired
The musical shows the moving picture of the marines, who always hold their rifles firmly, ready to fulfill the mission of protecting the sacred sea and the islands of the Motherland.
17:19, 2024/07/19
Countries recognize Vietnam’s right to claim extended continental shelf in UN submission
In a note verbal to the UN Secretary-General on its extended continental shelf claim, Vietnam reiterated that it has no bearing on the maritime delimitation between the country and its neighboring states.