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The French submarine SNA Emeraude patrols in the South China Sea – Photo: AFP
At a regular press conference on February 25, Vietnam Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Thi Thu Hang received many questions about the recent activities of countries such as China, France and the United States in the South China Sea.
Recently, there has been some information about the appearance of China’s 5304 seagoing vessel near the Vietnam oil and gas exploitation area at the Hai Thach field in block 5-02, 330 km from Vung Tau. On the morning of February 24, ship 5304 was believed to continue to appear near Hai Thach.
Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang stated that Vietnamese authorities always closely monitor developments in the South China Sea and protect and enforce sovereignty, sovereignty rights and national jurisdiction in the waters of Vietnam, in accordance with the international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.
“The activities of the countries in the South China Sea must comply with the relevant provisions of international law, respect the sovereignty, sovereignty rights and jurisdiction of coastal states, which are specified in UNCLOS, contributing to peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea, “Ms Thu Hang said.
Since the beginning of 2021, the South China Sea issue has continued to attract public attention with a number of related activities.
The French Navy confirmed that the country’s amphibious ship Tonnere and the corvette Surcouf departed from the port of Toulon on February 18, starting a three-month mission in the Pacific, where they will pass twice through the South China Sea and participate in exercises with United States and Japan. In May.
According to the commander of the Tonnere ship, Mr. Arnaud Trachant, this is an action to “try to strengthen” the partnership between France and countries like the United States, Japan, India and Australia. This is a group of four countries in the framework of the Indo-Pacific Regional Security Dialogue, also known as QUAD.
The operation of the two ships Tonnere and Surcouf was announced shortly after French Defense Minister Florence Parly confirmed that the nuclear attack submarine SNA Emeraude and the support ship BSAM Seine had conducted a patrol in the South China Sea. . According to Ms Parly, the patrol was “an outstanding test of the long-term and home capabilities of the French Navy with our strategic partners Australia, the United States and Japan.”
In this regard, spokesperson Thu Hang affirmed the maintenance of peace, stability, order, security, safety, freedom of navigation, overflight, the rule of law, respect for sovereignty and sovereignty. The rights and jurisdiction of the states along the East Sea, in accordance with UNCLOS 1982, are the common goals, interests, responsibilities and aspirations of all nations and the international community.
“We believe that the activities of all nations in the South China Sea should contribute to this common goal,” the spokesman stressed.
Meanwhile, responding to a question about the activities of the American warship near Hoang Sa and Truong Sa in early February, Ms. Thu Hang said: “As a member of the 1982 UNCLOS Convention, Vietnam complies with the Conventions, including those related to navigation and overflight. Operations in maritime areas are established in accordance with the Convention. Vietnam wants countries to continue to contribute positively to the maintenance of peace, stable on the basis of international law in the China Sea Southern “.
