All actions taken by
parties in the East Sea must abide by international law, Vietnamese Foreign
Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said on July 31 in reply to a question on
China’s on-going military exercise in the Gulf of Tonkin from July 27-August 1.
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| Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh |
He said all actions of
parties in the East Sea must comply with international law, including the 1982
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. He continued to say that all parties
should not complicate the situation and not affect peace, stability, security and
safety of navigation and aviation in the region.
According to the spokesman,
the activities by Vietnam’s law enforcement authorities at sea and fishermen
are taking place normally.
Asked whether Vietnam will
change its policy towards China as it was viewed to depend on Beijing, Binh
affirmed that Vietnam consistently pursues its foreign policy of independence,
self-reliance, diversification and multi-lateralisation, unceasingly
strengthening and deepening its ties with other countries all over the world, including
bordering countries.
Vietnam’s recent guidelines
in safeguarding its sea and island sovereignty have been lauded by the
international community, he added.
Regarding the Philippines’
proposal for the upcoming ASEAN ministerial meeting in Myanmar, all East Sea
claimant states should stop all actions that could escalate the situation. Binh
said Vietnam welcomes all initiatives as well as constructive efforts and
positive contributions to the maintenance of peace, stability, security and
safety of aviation and navigation in the region.
Source: Nhan Dan/VNA
