Le made the above statement in reply to reporters' query on Viet Nam's reaction to an announcement by China's Hainan Maritime Safety Administration that military drills would start in the East Sea from March 5-15.

Part of the area where the drills are taking place is well within Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), said the Spokesperson.

Viet Nam also asked China not to take actions that may further complicate the situation, thus contributing to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in the East Sea, she added.

Le stated that Viet Nam always keeps close watch on developments in the East Sea and exercises sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in accordance with international law, particularly the UNCLOS 1982.