Hanoi has expressed its resolution and perseverance in safeguarding the territorial sovereignty derived from its legitimate rights and interests over the East Vietnam Sea.

Vietnam will resolutely and persistently protect its authority and legitimate rights and interests in the sea, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Le Hai Binh stated at a regular press conference in the capital on Thursday.

In response to a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporter’s question about whether Hanoi would apply more assertive measures to deal with Beijing’s recent actions escalating the situation in the East Vietnam Sea, Spokesperson Binh said that Vietnam, as a nation directly involved in the sea disputes, would always support an amicable settlement as per the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“Vietnam will defend its sovereignty, rights and interests with peaceful measures, in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations,” he added.

While talking to Tuoi Tre, Dr. Tran Cong Truc, former head of the government’s border affairs board and an expert on the law of the sea, supported Binh’s announcement, as well as the role of the United Nations, especially amid Beijing’s public show of militarization on its illegally built islands in the East Vietnam Sea.

The Charter of the United Nations, which is the world’s essential foundation for the peaceful settlement of disputes, promulgates that member states of the organization should not use violent threats that challenge other countries’ sovereignty or political independence, Dr. Truc elaborated.

Regarding reports that the China National Offshore Oil Corporation was inviting foreign businesses to bid for oil blocks in the East Vietnam Sea, Spokesperson Binh underlined that Vietnamese authorities are reviewing the content of the invitation.

He added that neither Vietnam nor China is allowed to unilaterally carry out oil inspection or exploitation in the overlapping sea area between the two parties.

The spokesperson reiterated Hanoi’s indisputable sovereignty over the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagoes, following Beijing’s recent deployment of seven vessels in Hai Sam Atoll, part of Vietnam’s Spratly islands.

Any activity done in the sea area without Vietnam’s consent is considered unlawful, Binh asserted.

The diplomat once again called on relevant parties to have practical contribution to the preservation of peace, stability, and maritime safety and security in the East Vietnam Sea, in accordance with international law.

Philippine officials said on Wednesday that China had sent as many as seven ships to Hai Sam, also known as Jackson Atoll, in Truong Sa in recent weeks, according to Reuters.

The U.S. military said on the same day that India, the United States and Japan will hold naval exercises in waters off the northern Philippines near the East Vietnam Sea this year, after Washington warned China against militarization of the sea on Tuesday, the British news agency reported.

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