Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Lê Thị Thu Hằng has highlighted Vietnam’s viewpoint that all activities in its Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos without permission of the country are void and not conducive to peace, security and stability in the East Sea.
The diplomat was speaking at a regular press conference on August 6.
While stating Vietnam’s view on the information that China published an amendment of "Technical regulations for statutory surveys of sea-going ships on domestic voyages" under China’s laws, the spokeswoman said that China's inclusion of Hoang Sa archipelago of Vietnam in its rules for technical inspection of domestic vessels under the 2020 law violates Vietnam's sovereignty over the archipelago, and is not conducive to maintaining a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment in the East Sea.
Vietnam's consistent viewpoint is that all activities related to Vietnam's Hoang Sa archipelago without the country's permission are violations of Vietnam's sovereignty and are null and void, Hang affirmed.
* Regarding Vietnam’s plan to fly home its citizens abroad in the context of new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases in the country, Hằng informed that more than 80 flights have been operated so far, bringing home safely more than 21,000 Vietnamese citizens from some 50 countries and territories.
The flights were arranged under the Prime Minister’s instructions, and with the highest determination of competent agencies at home, as well as Vietnam’s representative offices abroad, the spokesperson said.
Hằng emphasised that the repatriation of Vietnamese citizens in extremely difficult circumstances will be conducted in accordance with their wish and domestic quarantine capacity.
Source: en.nhandan.org.vn
