The Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, requesting that China immediately release those Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen that were illegally detained, and provide sufficient compensation for any damage, heard a press briefing on Thursday.

“Hoang Sa belongs to Vietnam," deputy spokesman for the foreign ministry Doan Khac Viet stressed at the press conference in Hanoi. 

"Vietnam has repeatedly affirmed its indisputable sovereignty over the archipelago.”

He stated that the unlawful arrest of Vietnamese fishermen and vessels by Chinese coast guards around the archipelago is a grave violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa, infringing on the lawful rights and interests of the Vietnamese fishermen.

“Vietnam resolutely opposes China’s wrongful acts and requests that China fully respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa, release all illegally-captured Vietnamese fishermen and vessels, compensate for damage, and not repeat similar infringements,” Viet asserted.

On October 2, Vietnam expressed its discontent, concerns, and resolute opposition to Chinese law enforcement’s brutal treatment of Vietnamese fishermen operating in the waters near Hoang Sa.

The action injured the Vietnamese fishermen and endangered their lives as well as damaged their assets, according to the ministry.

The ministry said that it had sternly communicated with the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi, strongly protested the action of the Chinese law enforcement, and demanded that China fully respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the group of islands.

The ministry also demanded that the Chinese side promptly investigate the aforementioned incident and notify Vietnam of the results of its investigation.

Hoang Sa consists of more than 30 islands, coral reefs, sandbars, and shoals in the East Vietnam Sea.

The Vietnamese foreign ministry has repeatedly proclaimed that Vietnam has enough historical evidence and legal foundation to prove its sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa archipelagoes.

It has always asserted that the Vietnamese sovereignty over Hoang Sa was established in the 17th century in accordance with international law and has been “exercised peacefully, continuously, and publicly by successive administrations in Vietnam.”

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!