On July 12, answering a reporter's question asking to know Vietnam's comments on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Arbitration Tribunal established under Annex VII of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) making a ruling in the lawsuit between the Philippines and China, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated clearly:
Vietnam's clear and consistent position is that disputes at sea must be resolved by peaceful means, respecting diplomatic and legal processes, not using or threatening to use force, in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Vietnam always supports resolving disputes on interpretation and application of the Convention in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.
Vietnam reaffirms that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is the sole legal basis, comprehensively and thoroughly regulating the scope of rights to enjoy sea areas" - Ms. Pham Thu Hang emphasized.
According to the Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as a coastal country in the East Sea and an active member of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Vietnam always has the goodwill to comply with the Convention and requests all parties concerned to fully implement their legal obligations stipulated in the Convention, including in determining their maritime claims and exercising their rights at sea, respecting the rights of other countries to enjoy under the Convention, cooperating and actively and practically contributing to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation and order in the East Sea based on international law.
