Sunday, December 7, 2014

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Vietnam strongly objects to Taiwan’s survey on Ba Binh Island

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly objected to Taiwan’s illegal survey work on Ba Binh Island, part of Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago in the East Sea. 

Le Hai Binh
Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Le Hai Binh
The objection was released by the ministry’s deputy spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang at a regular press conference of the ministry in Hanoi on Thursday, in reply to questions on Vietnam’s response to the fact that Taiwanese defense officials have made a survey trip on the island.


“Once again, Vietnam strongly reiterates its sovereignty over Truong Sa and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagos. Any activities of other parties in these territories without the consent of Vietnam are illegal and null and void,” the deputy spokesperson said.
“We resolutely oppose this illegal survey," the spokesperson emphasized.

Diplomatic note of protest sent to China
In late last month, on talking with reporters about the ministry’s response to China’s building an illegal airport on Da Chu Thap island (Fiery Cross Reef), part of Truong Sa, Hang said, “All unilateral activities conducted by any parties to change the status quo in this area without Vietnam’s permission are illegal and invalid.”

Yesterday, November 6, in a press release to the media, the ministry’s spokesman Le Hai Binh demanded that China stop the above work immediately.

He emphasized that this action by China seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelago, infringing on the Vietnam - China agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea.    

“This action by China has also violated international laws and runs against the Declaration on the Conducts of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).” he said.
The spokesman stressed that China’s action has disrupted the status quo of the archipelago, further complicated and caused more tension to the East Sea situation, and has been detrimental to peace in the area.

Vietnam demands that China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty, strictly comply with the DOC, immediately stop the reclamation and the building of works that disrupt the status quo in the Truong Sa archipelago, and not commit similar acts in the future, he said.

Vietnam has full legal and historical documents to assert its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa, the spokesman confirmed.

Also on November 6, the ministry handed a diplomatic note of protest to the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi.

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