The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that on July 17 (local time), the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam handed over to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) the Boundary Submission Document. The continental shelf boundary extends beyond 200 nautical miles of Vietnam in the Middle East Sea Area (VNM‑C).
On this occasion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam solemnly declared as follows:
1. Is a continental country bordering the East Sea and a member country of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), based on relevant provisions of UNCLOS and in accordance with geographical conditions Vietnam has full legal and scientific basis to affirm that Vietnam has the right to have a natural continental shelf extending beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline used to calculate the width of Vietnam's territorial sea. Male.
In 2009, Vietnam completed 2 National Submissions: Submission of the Boundary of the Extended Continental Shelf in the North of the East Sea (VNM‑N), Submission of the Boundary of the Extended Continental Shelf in the Middle of the East Sea (VNM) ‑C); At the same time, cooperate with Malaysia to develop a Joint Submission on the Boundary of the Extended Continental Shelf for the Southern East Sea Region.
In May 2009, Vietnam submitted a Submission on the Boundary of the Expanded Continental Shelf for the Northern Area of the East Sea and together with Malaysia submitted a Joint Submission on the Boundary of the Extended Continental Shelf for the Southern Area of the East Sea.
In the Note sent to the CLCS at that time, Vietnam confirmed that it would submit the Boundary of the Expanded Continental Shelf in the Middle of the East Sea at a later time (stated in Note No. CLCS.37.2009.LOS dated May 11, 2009 of the General Assembly). Secretary of the United Nations to all member states of the United Nations).
2. After a number of relevant coastal states in the East Sea have submitted their own Submissions from 2019 up to now, Vietnam's submission of the Boundary of the Extended Continental Shelf in the Middle of the East Sea is aimed at preserving ensure Vietnam's legal rights to Vietnam's extended continental shelf in the middle of the East Sea, which Vietnam has full rights to enjoy in accordance with Article 76 of UNCLOS.
Vietnam affirms that Vietnam's submission in the Middle East Sea Area does not affect the maritime delimitation between Vietnam and relevant coastal states in the East Sea on the basis of UNCLOS .
3. On this occasion, Vietnam reaffirms Vietnam's sovereignty over the two archipelagos of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa in accordance with international law and Vietnam's rights over Vietnam's waters in the East Sea established in accordance with UNCLOS.
At the same time, Vietnam commits to being ready to resolve and control disputes and disagreements on territorial sovereignty related to the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos and disputes on maritime delimitation between Vietnam and other countries. relevant coastal states in the East Sea through peaceful means, and at the same time, together with regional countries and the international community, maintain peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation. and sustainable development in the East Sea on the basis of international law, including UNCLOS.
