Vietnam's response to the Philippines' actions in the East Sea

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang has announced Vietnam's reaction to information about Philippine President Duterte's statement in the East Sea.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang.

Regarding the information that Mr. Duterte ordered the military to occupy all Philippine entities with sovereignty claims in the East Sea that have not been occupied by any party, as well as declaring that he will visit Thi Tu Island in Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago in the near future, Ms. Le Thi Thu Hang stated:

“Vietnam is very concerned and is monitoring and verifying the above information.

As has been repeatedly affirmed, Vietnam has sufficient historical evidence and legal basis to assert its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos. Any actions by other countries in these two archipelagos without Vietnam's permission are illegal and worthless.

Vietnam's consistent stance on the East Sea issue is that all disputes are resolved by peaceful means, on the basis of international law.

While waiting to find a fundamental and long-term solution to the dispute, the parties need to exercise restraint and avoid actions that complicate the situation or expand the dispute, in accordance with the spirit and text of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

According to Vietnamnet