At the regular press conference on the afternoon of July 17, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang expressed her opinion on the occasion of July 12, 2025, the 9th anniversary of the Judgment of the Arbitration Court established under Appendix VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in the East Sea dispute between the Philippines and China.
Ms. Pham Thu Hang said: Vietnam's stance was demonstrated in the speeches of the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 12, 2016, July 12, 2021 and July 15, 2023.
"Vietnam's consistent and clear policy is that disputes at sea must be resolved by peaceful means, with full respect for diplomatic and legal processes, and the use or threat of force in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982)" - Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said.
The Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that relevant parties need to respect the rights of other countries and fully fulfill their legal obligations stipulated in UNCLOS 1982, cooperate and actively and practically contribute to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation, aviation and order in the East Sea based on international law.
As a member country of UNCLOS and a country along the East Sea, Vietnam emphasizes that UNCLOS 1982 is the only legal basis that comprehensively and thoroughly regulates the scope of rights to enjoy maritime zones. The maritime requirements of UNCLOS 1982 member states must comply with the provisions of UNCLOS 1982. Countries need to fully respect the sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of coastal states established in accordance with UNCLOS 1982.
