Vietnam affirms sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.

On November 8, 2018, at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to reporters' questions asking for a response to China's recent use of monitoring stations on some structures in the Truong Sa archipelago, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed:

“Vietnam has sufficient legal basis and historical evidence to affirm Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos in accordance with international law. China's use of monitoring stations on illegally constructed and renovated structures in the Truong Sa archipelago has seriously violated Vietnam's sovereignty over the archipelago.

Vietnam resolutely opposes and requests China to immediately stop the above-mentioned activities, strictly comply with the “Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues between Vietnam and China” and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), not to complicate the situation, affect peace, security, stability in the East Sea and the region as well as the efforts of countries in negotiating the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).”

* Responding to a reporter’s question about the United Nations passing a Resolution calling on the United States to lift the embargo on Cuba, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang stated:

“Vietnam welcomes the United Nations General Assembly’s passing of a Resolution calling for the lifting of the embargo on Cuba. Vietnam believes that the continued maintenance of the embargo against Cuba is inappropriate and should be completely lifted soon, meeting the aspirations and legitimate interests of the Cuban people, and making an important contribution to the development as well as maintaining peace and stability in the Americas region.”./.

Mạnh Hùng (Theo dangcongsan.vn)