Viet Nam had once again called on China to immediately end its construction and expansion on reef islands belonging to Viet Nam in the East Sea, stated Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh on May 8.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh

He replied to reporters' queries on Viet Nam's response to several statements by China that Viet Nam had made large-scale encroachments and expansions on reef islands, which, it said, were being "occupied" by Viet Nam.

"Viet Nam has sufficient legal and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty and jurisdiction in the East Sea in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," Binh told reporters.

China's reef construction and expansion had seriously violated Viet Nam sovereignty in the East Sea, causing deep concerns among the international community, including ASEAN, he said.

Binh said Viet Nam insisted China immediately put an end to these activities and follow international law, especially the UNCLOS and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and avoid actions to complicate and extend disputes at sea.

Asked to comment on reports that the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations recently sent diplomatic notes to other countries' permanent missions asserting its sovereignty and relevant claims on the East Sea and describing its construction on the reef islands is rightful and legitimate, the spokesman said that these points of view were inaccurate and had no legal, historical or factual grounds.

On April 30, the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN sent diplomatic notes to all countries' permanent missions to the UN to reject the Chinese claims, he added.

VNS