Maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully: Vietnam’s foreign ministry

At a regular press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday, the spokesperson made this statement in response to questions about the significance of the ninth anniversary of the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague regarding the dispute between the Philippines and China in the East Vietnam Sea (July 12, 2016 – 2025).

She stated that maritime claims by any UNCLOS member states must be consistent with the international treaty.

In addition, countries must fully respect the sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of coastal states as established under UNCLOS 1982, Hang affirmed.

Vietnam’s consistent and clear policy is that maritime disputes must be resolved by peaceful means, fully respecting diplomatic and legal processes, without the use or threat of force, in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS.

She highlighted that this position has been clearly expressed in the ministry’s spokesperson statements on July 12, 2016, July 12, 2021, and July 15, 2023.

Hang underscored that all parties concerned must respect the rights of other countries and fully implement their legal obligations under UNCLOS.

They are also required to actively and practically cooperate to maintain peace, stability, security, safety, order, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Vietnam Sea based on international law.

“As a state party to UNCLOS 1982 and a coastal state in the East Vietnam Sea, Vietnam reaffirms that this convention is the only comprehensive and thorough legal foundation defining the scope of maritime entitlements,” the diplomat stated.