Vietnam welcomes all efforts of the international community, including the U.S., to maintain peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the East Vietnam Sea, Le Hai Binh, spokesman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Thursday during a regular press conference in Hanoi.
Binh added that Vietnam is keeping a close watch on the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig of the state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation, which is moving in the sea.
“The maintenance of peace, stability, security, and maritime safety is the expectations and common benefits of all nations in and out of the region,” Binh said.
“Relevant parties must solve disputes with peaceful measures and in conformity with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East [Vietnam] Sea with a vision to the Code of Conduct of Parties in the sea,” he added.
Asked about the plan of the U.S. to dispatch warships and warplanes to the artificial islands China is illegally building in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, Binh said, “We want all relevant parties and nations in and out of the region to actively contribute to maintaining peace, stability, security, and maritime safety.
“We want the parties not to complicate the situation in the sea.
“All activities must obey international law and respect the sovereignty of coastal nations in the sea.”
Regarding the current movement of the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig in the East Vietnam Sea, the High Command of the Vietnam Coast Guard confirmed to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that, “The Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig and other oil platforms are now operating in the maritime territory of China.”
Vietnam is well prepared for the protection of its maritime sovereignty, according the high command.
Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!