Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Lê Thị Thu Hằng. — VNA/VNS Photo Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam asks China, as a large nation in the region and the world, to perform its responsibilities in maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea, said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lê Thị Thu Hằng yesterday. Hằng spoke in reply to reporters’ questions about news in foreign media that China has placed missiles at structures it illegally constructed on Việt Nam’s Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelago. "Việt Nam is deeply concerned about the information," said Hằng, affirming that "all militarised activities, including the installation of missiles on the Trường Sa archipelago, seriously violate the country’s sovereignty over the islands, violate the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues … [Read more...] about Việt Nam asks China to maintain peace in East Sea
East sea
East Sea to see 12 – 14 storms in 2018
The information was shared during a conference for pre-storm season forecast in 2018 and launch of provincial coordinating forces for disaster response held by the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) in Hanoi on May 7. Typhoons and tropical depressions are more likely to hit the northern part of the East Sea at the beginning of this rainy season and will move towards the south in late 2018, threatening to affect the central region. This year, the widespread heat will arrive late in the northern and central regions and it is expected to be not as long and severe as in 2017. Meanwhile, big floods may occur in the Mekong Delta Participants to the conference also discussed natural disaster preparedness of the Government and VRCS, and a new model promoting coordination in natural disaster preparedness and prevention. In addition, they reviewed the effectiveness of the VRCS’s disaster response teams at all levels. In response to natural disasters in 2018, the VRCS has prepared cash … [Read more...] about East Sea to see 12 – 14 storms in 2018
G7 Foreign Ministers express concern about East Sea situation
The communiqué read: “We reiterate our commitment to promoting cooperative, international maritime governance, to maintaining a rules-based maritime order based on international law, including as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to building trust and ensuring security, and to the peaceful management and settlement of disputes without using the threat of force or coercion and in accordance with international law, including through internationally recognised legal dispute settlement mechanisms, including arbitration.” The ministers also reiterated their commitment to the freedom of the high seas, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, and to other rights, including the rights and jurisdiction of coastal states and internationally lawful uses of the seas. “In this context, we stress the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law, and express our intention to work together … [Read more...] about G7 Foreign Ministers express concern about East Sea situation
Canada criticizes China for its ‘hostile behavior’ in East Sea: report
The Senate of Canada has approved a motion which condemns China for its “aggressive and expansive behavior” in the South China Sea, known in Vietnam as the East Sea. The proposal describes China’s activities in the sea area as “escalating and hostile behavior” and urges all parties to the dispute to uphold their rights of freedom of navigation and aviation in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention of the Sea, The Globe and Mail reported on Tuesday. This is considered a rare move for Canada, said the report, saying the measure comes at a time when Canada is seeking to open formal trade negotiations with China, currently the world’s second-biggest economy. “By passing this motion, the Senate is stating its concern on China’s escalating and hostile behavior in the South China Sea, and urging the government of Canada to take a principled position on one of the biggest geopolitical conflicts of our time,” The … [Read more...] about Canada criticizes China for its ‘hostile behavior’ in East Sea: report
Malaysia calls for cooperation among coast guards in East Sea
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Cooperation among coast guards of countries is necessary to deal with challenges in enforcing the law in the East Sea, a Malaysian officer has said. Admiral Zulkifili Abu Bakar, Director General of the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), made the statement on March 17. He said that the lack of forces and facilities and the invasion of foreign fishing vessels have posed more challenges in the East Sea, adding that cooperation among countries is the key to these challenges. 2017 recorded the largest number of foreign fishing ships entering Malaysia’s waters, he said. However, since the beginning of 2018, the situation has shown improvement, partly due to the effective cooperation between the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) and the MMEA, he stated, adding that he has had discussions with representatives from the VCG on these issues and have taken timely actions. The MMEA has cooperated with the Japan Coast Guard and … [Read more...] about Malaysia calls for cooperation among coast guards in East Sea