Vietnam on June 23 denounced China’s illegal military exercise in the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago as a serious violation of its sovereignty over the South China Sea Island chain.

On July 12, 2016, an international tribunal in the Hague issued its final award in favor of the Philippines against China and addressed a number of legal questions in the South China Sea (known as East Sea in Vietnam). Five years have passed, given that the South China Sea situation remains unresolved and China still rejects the arbitration, this landmark decision has inspired numerous discussions on legal issues and has been considered providing a legal background for the maritime activities taken by various countries in the South China Sea.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 15 issued a statement, saying that Vietnam welcomes other countries’ stance on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) issue in line with international law.

Experts and policymakers agreed that the rule of law and respect for international law are central principles in handling the South China Sea (known as East Sea in Vietnam) issue at an international conference that began on July 6 in Hanoi.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc gave an interview to The Nation newspaper of Thailand while attending the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok on June 22 and 23, highlighting Vietnam’s willingness to join other members to build a strong and resilient ASEAN.

Two years ago, the United Nations delivered a historic verdict in the South China Sea territorial dispute between the Philippines and China, rendering China’s extensive claims over most of the sea baseless. Dr. Ha Anh Tuan, Director of the Center for Policy Analysis under the Institute for South China Sea Studies, writes to Vietnam News Agency on the legal implications of this ruling and its role in the path toward a final resolution.

Two years after the arbitral tribunal ruling in favor of the Philippines’ South China Sea case and rejecting China’s so-called nine-dash line, disputes continue to rage even as China and ASEAN formally enter negotiations toward a Code of Conduct framework.

On May 1, 2014, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) deployed the semi-submersible oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 (HS 981) for exploratory mission at the co-ordinate of 15°29’58” North latitude and 111°12’06” East longitude, which continues to operate until August 15, 2014.

On May 1, 2014, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) deployed the semi-submersible oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 (HS 981) for exploratory mission at the co-ordinate of 15°29’58” North latitude and 111°12’06” East longitude, which continues to operate until August 15, 2014.

Excerpts from the paper prepared for the 5th International Workshop: “The South China Sea: Cooperation for Regional Security and Development” organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and Vietnam Lawyers Association in Hanoi, 10-12 November 2013