Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang

She made the remark in response to severalVietnamese and foreign reporters’ question about the recent developments in the East Sea.

Hang reiterated that: “Vietnam has sovereignty,sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the sea areas in the East Sea that werespecified in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS), to which Vietnam and the countries bordering the East Sea areparties.”

“Therefore, all activities of other countries inVietnam’s sea areas must comply with the relevant regulations of the 1982 UNCLOS and Vietnam’s law,” she said, noting that without Vietnam’s permission,all activities of foreign countries in its waters are valueless and violate itswaters as well as international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.

The spokeswomen emphasised that Vietnam’sconsistent policy is to resolutely and persistently struggle against anyactions that infringe its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction overits sea areas by peaceful means in accordance with international law and the1982 UNCLOS.

She added: “Vietnam attaches utmost importanceto peace, friendship, cooperation, goodwill and is ready to resolve disputes,disagreements by peaceful measures.”

In the recent past, the country has synchronously taken peaceful measures to address issues and demand foreignsides to respect its sea areas as well as its rights and legitimate interestsin the waters, and not to have actions complicating the situation.

Vietnamese authorised forces at sea have been exercising the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in a peaceful manner and in conformity with law to defend the country’s waters, Hang added.-VNA