At the regular press conference of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the afternoon of June 4, Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated Vietnam's views on the recent statements of China and the Netherlands regarding the activities of the De Ruyter ship (Netherlands) in the Hoang Sa archipelago area of Vietnam.
Ms. Pham Thu Hang said that, as has been repeatedly affirmed, Vietnam has sufficient historical evidence and legal basis to affirm its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago in accordance with international law.
Vietnam requests other countries to respect this reality" - Ms. Pham Thu Hang emphasized.
The spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that, as a member state of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and a coastal country in the East Sea, Vietnam always respects the freedom of navigation and aviation of countries in the East Sea in accordance with the provisions of international law, especially UNCLOS 1982.
Also at the regular press conference on the afternoon of June 4, Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang also raised Vietnam's reaction to the information that Cambodia had sent a notice to Thailand and the United Nations to initiate a mandatory mediation procedure related to the dispute between the two countries in the Gulf of Thailand.
Ms. Pham Thu Hang said that Vietnam welcomes the parties' resolution of disputes and differences by peaceful means in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the United Nations Charter and the Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, making positive contributions to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
