Vietnam resolutely opposes Taiwan (China)’s live-fire drill on Ba Binh island

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang

Responding to reporters’ question about Vietnam’s reaction to Taiwan’s live-fire exercise on Ba Binh island at a press briefing on March 22, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said Vietnam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidence testifying to its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa archipelagos.

“Taiwan’s live-fire drills in the sea area surrounding Ba Binh Island of Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago have for many times seriously violated Vietnam’s territorial sovereignty over the two archipelagoes, threatened peace, stability, safety, and security of navigation, caused tensions and complicated the situation in the East Sea,”  Hang emphasized.

Once again, Vietnam resolutely objects and requests Taiwan not to repeat similar actions, the spokesperson noted.

In reply to reporters' query regarding the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture’s announcement of the adjustments to the regulations.

Hang said Vietnam objects to and resolutely rejects China’s unilateral decision to adjust regulations on a fishing break at sea, including some territorial waters of Vietnam.

"Vietnam has sufficient legal ground and historical evidence affirming its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes, as well as legitimate rights over its waters in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

These regulations violate Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa archipelago, and the country’s legal rights and interests over its waters, as well as international law, including the UNCLOS," Hang said. 

China’s decision also runs counter the spirit and wording of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the agreement on fundamental principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea signed between Vietnam and China, is not conformable with the important agreement on well controlling disputes at sea reached by the two countries’ leaders, and delivers no benefits to peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea and the fruitful development trend of Vietnam-China relations, as well as efforts of countries in negotiating a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), she added.

Regarding the possibility of the organization of a high-level meeting between the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the spokesperson said Vietnam supports all constructive efforts to address differences through peaceful dialogues for peace, stability and security on the Korean peninsula and the world. 

She also affirmed Vietnam's readiness to make positive contributions to promoting talks to secure peace, security and stability on the Korean peninsula.