Việt Nam hopes the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) will issue a fair and objective decision on a petition filed by the Philippines contesting China’s claims to disputed areas in the East Sea (South China Sea), creating a foundation to peacefully handle disputes in that region, Foreign Ministry’s Spokesman Lê Hải Bình said July 1.

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Foreign Ministry’s Spokesman Lê Hải Bình

Bình made the statement while fielding queries from reporters about the PCA’s final decision expected on July 12.

Việt Nam was informed of the PCA’s schedule and as a country with a direct connection to East Sea disputes and as a member state of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), Việt Nam has been monitoring the case closely, he said.

Việt Nam also affirmed its consistent position of dealing with disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures, in line with the UN Charter and international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS.

VNS