Vietnam Condemns Taiwan's Illegal Actions in South China Sea

Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (Photo: Baoquocte)

Vietnam had shown its resolute objection to Taiwan’s military exercises in the territorial waters around Ba Binh island belonging to Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, and demanded Taiwan to end those actions and not to repeat them in the future, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said at the ministry's regular press briefing held online on November 18.

Hang reiterated the country’s viewpoint that Vietnam has sufficient legal grounds and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa archipelagoes that is in line with international law.

She said any patrol or military exercise by Taiwan in the territorial waters around Ba Binh island of Truong Sa archipelago seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over this archipelago; threatens peace, stability, safety, and security of navigation; causes tensions; and complicates the South China Sea (Bien Dong Sea) situation, according to VNA.

Vietnam resolutely objects to and demands Taiwan end the above-mentioned activities and not repeat them in the future, Hang stressed.

The dilapidated Sierra Madre ship of the Philippine Navy anchors near Ayungin shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) in the Spratly islands of Vietnam. (Photo: VOV/Reuters)

Regarding the report that the Philippines accused China of blocking its supply ships in the South China Sea, Vietnam has asked all concerned parties to comply with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in carrying out activities in the South China Sea, whilst avoid taking actions which may complicate the situation.

The Vietnamese stance on sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes, as well as the South Sea issue in general, remains clear and consistent. The country asks concerned parties to fully comply with international law, the 1982 UNCLOS regarding activities in the South China Sea, and not take steps to worsen the situation, thereby contributing to maintaining peace, security, stability, and legal order at sea in the region, VOV cited.

This comes after China Coast Guard vessels “blocked and water cannoned” Philippine supply boats on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on November 18, according to the Inquirer newswire.

The incident took place on November 16, according to reports made by Palawan-based Western Command.

“The acts of the Chinese Coast Guard vessels are illegal. China has no law enforcement rights in and around these areas. They must take heed and back off,” Locsin Jr. said.

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