Request China to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago

On April 25, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ regular press conference, responding to a reporter’s question asking for Vietnam’s reaction to China’s announcement of a fishing ban in the East Sea, the Spokesperson Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang stated:

“Vietnam’s stance on China’s fishing ban in the East Sea is consistent and has been clearly affirmed over the years. China’s fishing ban not only violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago, but also violates Vietnam’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone determined under the Convention. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.

Vietnam requests that China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago and Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over maritime zones, not complicate the situation, and contribute to maintain peace, stability and order in the East Sea region.”