Vietnam’s deployment of a rescue ship to the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago is normal and lawful as the nation has indisputable sovereignty over the archipelago, said Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang at the ministry’s regular meeting on June 4.

In reply to reporters' questions about Vietnam’s response to the information that Vietnam’s rescue boat was blocked by a Chinese naval ship while it was on the way to save a distressed fisherman suffering chest pains near Hoang Sa’s Tri Ton island, Hang said that Vietnam is verifying the information.

She also affirmed that Vietnam’s act is definitely in conformity with its law as well as international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The deputy spokeswoman said the Vietnamese government has sent its deep condolences to the Chinese government and people as well as victims of the Yangtze boat accident on June 1.

Regarding the US Secretary of Defence’s recent visit to Vietnam, the deputy spokeswoman said it opened important cooperative areas to raise bilateral defense cooperation to a new height.

The common vision declaration signed during the visit will strengthen mutual understanding, build trust and promote bilateral comprehensive partnership for mutual interest, peace and stability without harming any countries’ security.