As has been clearly enunciated many times, Vietnam has full legal basis and ample historical evidence to assert its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and the Truong Sa (Spratly), in accordance with international law as well as sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over maritime zones established following the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), Deputy Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Doan Khac Viet said on May 23. Speaking at the ministry’s regular press conference on May 15, he made the statement in response to reporters’ query regarding a new regulation issued by China on May 15 authorising its coast guard force to detain for up to 30 days without trial foreigners who violate or help others violate territorial waters/waters that China claims sovereignty.
Source: Vietnam News Agency
