Vietnam reserves its rights, legal interests in the East Sea
Vietnam will keep a close watch on the process of the East Sea-related case filed by the Philippines, the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson asserted on October 31.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh (Source: VNA)
Vietnam will keep a close watch on the process of the East Sea-related case filed by the Philippines and reserves the right to use all suitable and necessary peaceful measures to protect its rights and legal interests in the East Sea, the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson asserted on October 31.
Spokesperson Le Hai Binh made the statement in response to reporters’ queries regarding Vietnam’s reaction to the decision issued by Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on October 29 that it has jurisdiction to hear some territorial claims in the case filed by the Philippines over disputed areas in the East Sea, and the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement slamming the decision a day later.
“First and foremost, I once again affirm Vietnam’s indisputable sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagoes,” Binh said, going on to say that as a coastal nation in the East Sea and a member of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Vietnam has sovereignty rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as designated in accordance with the Convention.
He noted that Vietnam has presented its views on the case filed by the Philippines for many times, particularly in the Foreign Ministry’s statement submitted to the PCA on December 5, 2014.
The statement said Vietnam backs the observance and full implementation of all regulations and procedures as prescribed in the UNCLOS, including the settlement of all disputes relating to the interpretation and application of the Convention via peaceful measures.
Vietnam maintains its rights and legal interests in the East Sea, including sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Archipelago as well as rights and interests in waters designated in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,
The spokesperson said Vietnam hopes the court will interpret and apply related stipulations of the Convention in the case to issue a fair and impartial judgment.
“Vietnam asks that the court pays special attention to Vietnam’s rights and legal interests in the East Sea,” he said, adding that the country will consider next steps to protect national rights and interests.-VNA
China’s activities in the so-called Sansha city have no legal foundation and do not change the fact that Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago belongs to Vietnam.
Vietnam once again requests China respect its sovereignty and international law, abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and immediately stop wrongful actions.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
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.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh (Source: VNA)
