Vietnam objects to China's so-called '2023 standard map'
Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang affirmed that sovereignty claims and maritime claims based on the dashed lines as shown in the above map are worthless and violate international law.
On August 31, 2023, in response to a reporter's question about Vietnam's reaction to the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources' publication of the so-called "2023 standard map", which includes Vietnam's Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang affirmed:
The publication of the so-called “2023 standard map” by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, which includes Vietnam’s Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos and shows the dotted line claim, is a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos, as well as Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over its maritime zones as determined under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Therefore, the sovereignty claim and maritime claim based on the dashed line as shown in the above map are invalid and violate international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
“Once again, Vietnam strongly affirms its consistent stance on the issue of sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos, as well as resolutely opposes all claims by China in the East Sea based on the dashed line,” Ms. Hang stated.