US warship sails near illegally built islands on East Sea
A US guided missile destroyer USS Lassen navigated within 12 nautical miles of artificial islands China is building in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, the AFP news agency reported.
US guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (Source: AP)
A US guided missile destroyer USS Lassen navigated within 12 nautical miles of artificial islands China is building in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, the AFP news agency quoted a US defence official as saying on October 27.
This is seen as the first concrete move included in the US’s plan to conduct regular patrol activities in the East Sea.
“ We are conducting routine operations in the East Sea in accordance with international law. US forces operate in the Asia-Pacific region on a daily basis, including in the South China Sea" the official said.
The official also stressed that these operations are "distinct from the question of sovereignty over these islands."
Meanwhile, Reuters said the patrol carried out by the destroyer USS Lassen will near Su Bi (Subi) Reef and Vanh Khan (Mischief) Reef on the Truong Sa archipelago.
Additional patrols would follow in the coming weeks.
Earlier, the Barack Obama administration repeatedly affirmed that the US will exercise the right to freedom of navigation at any international waters where international law allows, including the East Sea.
Vietnam has adequate legal and historic foundations proving its sovereignty over the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagoes, including Su Bi and Vanh Khan Reefs which China occupies by force.
On October 15, Vietnam Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson said in response to the information that the US will sail a warship within 12 nautical miles near man-made islands that China built illegally in Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago, that countries in and outside the region have the responsibility to contribute to maintaining and enhancing peace, stability as well as navigation and aviation security, safety and freedom in the region on the basis of the strict observance of international law.-VNA
Academics and experts at the sixth international workshop on the East Sea called upon all parties concerned to refrain from implementing unilateral policies that could alter the status quo in the region.
The Diplomat, an online international news magazine covering politics, society and culture in the Asia- Pacific, on June 24, published an article about China’s land reclamation in the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea.
The article “The truth about ‘aggression’ in the South China Sea” was written by Nguyen Hong Thao, an Assistant Professor in Law at the National University of Hanoi, Vietnam.
Overseas Vietnamese in Switzerland together with numerous friends and peace lovers around the world joined a march in Geneva on June 27 to condemn China’s alteration of the status quo in the East Sea.
Experts at a discussion in the US’s Washington D.C. on October 20 examined recent security developments in the East Sea, underlining the serious impacts of activities that change the status quo.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
US guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (Source: AP)
