Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang speaks at the Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Photo: WVR/Minh Quan)

“Vietnam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in accordance with international law, and has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over sea areas established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982”.

As a coastal country and a member of the UNCLOS 1982, Vietnam believes that all activities of international cooperation, including maritime cooperation, need to be in line with international law, especially the UNCLOS, respect countries' sovereignty, sovereign rights, jurisdiction and interests that are established in accordance with international law and the UNCLOS”.