Vietnam resolutely rejects and demands that China immediately end its encroachment of Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa Archipelago (internationally known as Paracel islands), withdraw its jet fighters from this area and not to repeat similar acts.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh made the request in response to a question concerning Vietnam’s reaction to China’s deployment of 16 jet fighters to Vietnam’s Hoang Sa Archipelago at a regular press briefing in Hanoi on April 14.

“Once again we assert Vietnam’s indisputable sovereignty over the Truong Sa (Spratly Islands) and Hoang Sa archipelagoes. China’s deployment of jet fighters to Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty and directly threatens regional peace and stability

As a permanent member of the United Nations with an important role in the region, China should act responsibly and constructively in the maintenance of peace and stability in the region in line with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC)," Binh said.  

Commenting on the Hiroshima Declaration of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Japan, which mentions the situation in the East Sea, the offiical said, “Vietnam welcomes the Declaration of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on maritime security towards the common goal of ensuring navigation and aviation security, safety and freedom and maritime security with respect for international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"The country asks parties concerned to contribute practically to the maintenance of peace, stability, and the rule of law in all maritime areas and oceans.”

VOV