Hanoi strongly objects to any actions that violate its sovereignty over Tu Chinh Reef, internationally known as Vanguard Bank, as it is part of the Vietnamese continental shelf in the East Vietnam Sea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang was speaking in response to reporters’ questions about Vietnam’s reaction to China sending a coast guard vessel to the area recently.  

“Tu Chinh is part of the Vietnamese continental shelf and is established in full accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS] 1982,” Hang stressed.

The spokesperson affirmed that Vietnam maintains a consistent stance on Tu Chinh, which has been reiterated on multiple occasions.

“Vietnam resolutely opposes any acts violating its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over its waters as established in full conformity with international law, especially the UNCLOS 1982,” she stated.

The diplomat emphasized that Vietnam is committed to safeguarding its legal and legitimate rights and interests at sea through peaceful means, in adherence to international law.

According to news site Atlas News, the China Coast Guard’s Zhaotou-class Patrol Cutter, the Haijing-5901, entered “Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone to conduct patrols near Vanguard Bank” on February 21.

The ship left “after sailing around the area for a few hours.”

The vessel, 165 meters long, is armed with a H/PJ-26 76mm naval gun, many autocannons and anti-aircraft heavy machine guns, two medium-utility helicopters or unmanned vehicles, and a large helipad, the site said.

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