Vietnam has reaffirmed that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) remains the sole legal framework governing maritime entitlements, as the international community marks the 10th anniversary of the landmark East Sea arbitration ruling between the Philippines and China.

Responding to reporters, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang reiterated Vietnam's longstanding position that maritime disputes should be settled peacefully and in accordance with international law.

"Vietnam's clear and consistent position is that disputes at sea must be resolved through peaceful means, with respect for diplomatic and legal processes, without the threat or use of force, in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982," she said.

Vietnam, she added, has consistently supported the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation and application of UNCLOS through the mechanisms provided under the convention.

The spokesperson reaffirmed that UNCLOS 1982 is the sole legal basis that comprehensively and exhaustively defines maritime entitlements.

As a coastal state bordering the East Sea and an active party to UNCLOS, Vietnam remains committed to fully implementing the convention and calls on all relevant parties to fulfill their legal obligations under the treaty.

Those obligations include ensuring that maritime claims and the exercise of maritime rights comply with UNCLOS, respecting the lawful rights of other states, and working together to maintain peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea based on international law.

The statement was issued on the 10th anniversary of the July 12, 2016 arbitration award, delivered by an arbitral tribunal constituted under Annex VII of UNCLOS in the case brought by the Philippines against China.

Tran Thuong