At the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the afternoon of July 23, answering reporters' questions about international media reporting that Chinese coast guard forces and Philippine forces clashed at Bai Co May in the East Sea earlier this week, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang emphasized:
Vietnam requests relevant parties to exercise restraint, act in accordance with international law, and respect sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of coastal states established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)".
Vietnam also requested the parties to seriously and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), creating a favorable environment for negotiating the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
The parties need to comply with international regulations on maritime and aviation safety and resolve disputes and differences by peaceful means, without using force or threatening to use force, actively contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Also at the press conference, the Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered questions from the press about the content of discussions related to the East Sea at the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related conferences in the Philippines.
Ms. Pham Thu Hang said that at the conference, ASEAN countries and partners emphasized the priority of ensuring ASEAN solidarity, self-reliance, and effectively promoting the central role in the network of increasingly practical and open partnerships.
The countries affirmed to continue to implement the commitments of the 48th ASEAN Summit and accelerate the progress of building the ASEAN Community Vision, realize the priorities of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2026 as well as exchange views on international and regional issues of common concern, including the East Sea issue.
