The Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang

The Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang made the statement while answering reporters’ queries regarding thereturn of survey vessel group Haiyang Dizhi 8 to Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone andcontinental shelf on August 16.

The spokeswoman cited information from competent agencies as saying thatthe Chinese vessel group and a number of escort ships came back to Vietnam’s territorialwaters on August 13.

"The waters totally belong to Vietnam’s sovereign right and jurisdictionas defined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS)," Hang stressed.

Vietnam has asked China to respect Vietnam’s sovereign right, jurisdiction andother legal and legitimate rights and interests in line with the 1982 UNCLOSand international law, she said.

Vietnamese authorised forces have been continuing to implement measuresto exercise Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction inaccordance with Vietnamese and international law, Hang added.

Vietnam has attached great importance to peace, security and respect forlaw in the East Sea, and has goodwill to settle disputes through peacefulmeasures.

Vietnam also treasures and wants to promote friendly ties with China forthe sake of the two countries and their people, and for peace, stability andsecurity in the region and the world at large, and at the same time, it is resolvedand consistent to protect its legal and legitimate rights and interests, Hang stressed. 

Vietnam calls on related countries and the international community to activelycontribute to maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea, theregion and the world as well, she added.-VNA