On May 5, answering a reporter's question asking to know Vietnam's reaction to China recently issuing a fishing ban from May 1, 2026 to August 16, 2026 in some areas of the East Sea, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang emphasized:
Vietnam's position on China's fishing ban in the East Sea is consistent and has been clearly affirmed in recent years.
Vietnam requests China to respect Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago in accordance with international law, as well as Vietnam's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over sea areas established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), respect the legitimate rights of Vietnamese fishermen to operate in Vietnam's sea areas and sea areas beyond national jurisdiction in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982, and not to take actions that complicate the situation, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, and order at sea based on laws in the East Sea".
