Vietnam will keep a close watch on the process of the East Sea-related case filed by the Philippines and reserves the right to use all suitable and necessary peaceful measures to protect its lawful rights and interests in the East Sea, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh.
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| Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh answers reporters’ queries on October 31__Photo: VNA |
He made the statement on October 31 in response to reporters’ queries on Vietnam’s reaction to the decision issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on October 29 that the country has the jurisdiction to hear some territorial claims in the case over disputed areas in the East Sea, and the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement slamming the decision on October 30.
“First and foremost, I once again affirm Vietnam’s indisputable sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos,” Binh said, adding that as a coastal nation in the East Sea and a member of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Vietnam has sovereignty rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as designated in accordance with the Convention.
The spokesperson said Vietnam hoped the court would interpret and apply related provisions of the Convention in the case to issue a fair and impartial judgment.
“Vietnam asks the court to pay special attention to the country’s lawful rights and interests in the East Sea,” the spokesman said, adding that the country would consider its next steps to protect its national rights and interests.- (VNS/VLLF)
