Vietnam demands China withdraw survey ship, vessels from Vietnamese waters

Vietnam on Thursday demanded China withdraw survey ship Xiang Yang Hong 10 and the escorting flotilla of coast guard vessels and fishing vessels from Vietnamese waters.

Deputy spokesperson for Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang made the remark in response to a reporter's question on Vietnam's reaction to the recent intrusion by Chinese vessels into Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea.

"As previously reported, the Chinese survey ship Xiang Yang Hong 10, along with a number of accompanying coast guard and fishing vessels, has violated Vietnam's EEZ, which was established in accordance with the provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982," she said.

The Vietnamese foreign ministry and relevant agencies have repeatedly communicated with Chinese authorities and implemented measures in accordance with international law and Vietnamese law to ensure Vietnam's legitimate rights and interests, the deputy spokesperson stressed.

Vietnam demands that relevant Chinese agencies comply with the common perceptions of the high-level leadership of the two countries, immediately end their provocative activities, withdraw the Xiang Yang Hong 10 and other coast guard and fishing vessels from Vietnamese waters, respect Vietnam's sovereignty and jurisdictional rights, strictly abide by the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea, towards the maintenance of peace, cooperation, and development in the East Sea, and contribute to the development of bilateral relations.

Earlier last week, at the 20th ASEAN-China Senior Officials' Meeting on the Implementation of the DOC held in Vietnam's northern province of Quang Ninh, Ambassador Vu Ho, acting head of ASEAN SOM Vietnam, said that given the complex situation and ongoing unilateral actions that violate international law in the East Sea, countries should combine "words with deeds" by translating political commitments into specific and appropriate actions in the field.

He highlighted the need to use international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a 'lodestar' for activities in the East Sea.