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VN demands China immediately withdraw vessels from EEZ

VGP – Viet Nam demands China immediately stop violations and withdraw all vessels from the Southeast Asian country’s exclusive economic zone, said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang.

August 22, 2019 7:14 PM GMT+7

Hang made the above statement at a press conference Thursday in response to reporters’ queries on ongoing operation of China’s geological survey vessel group Haiyang Dizhi 8 in Viet Nam’s waters.

China is also demanded not to take actions that may intensify tensions, complicate the situation, and threaten peace, stability and security in the East Sea and in the region as well.

The Chinese geological survey vessel group returned to Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf on August 13, less than a week after they left Viet Nam’s waters. This is the serious violation of Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf defined by the provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Hang said Viet Nam has repeatedly contacted the Chinese side regarding this issue.

Vietnamese competent forces continue deployment of measures to secure the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in line with international law and Viet Nam’s law.

With the determination to protect its legitimate rights and interests and to contribute to peace, stability and security in the region and the world, Viet Nam always stands ready to settle differences through all peaceful measures in accordance with international law, the Spokesperson affirmed.

Once again, Viet Nam asks relevant parties and the international community to proactively and practically contribute to maintaining order, peace, and security in the region as well as security and freedom of navigation and aviation, and respecting the rule of law in the East Sea in line with the international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Hang emphasized./.

By Quang Minh

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