Vietnam demands China to stop illegal survey activities on its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, Pham Thu Hang, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the press on June 6.

China’s Hai Yang 26 vessel operating illegally in Vietnamese waters. Photo: MOFA

Responding to reporters’ inquiry about Vietnam’s comment on China’s Hai Yang 26 vessel conducting survey operations in Vietnamese waters, Hang said that Vietnam is highly concerned about the activities and has contacted Chinese authorities to resolve the issue.

She said that China must comply with international laws, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea ((internationally known as South China Sea).

China must act accordingly with the high-level conceptions reached by Vietnamese and Chinese leaders on overseeing and handling maritime conflicts to foster the Vietnam-China bilateral relations and promote peace and stability in the region, Hang added.