The Hanoitimes - Vietnam insists on free maritime navigation as long as other countries follow international law and maintain the peace and stability in the region. Spokeswoman of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on February 15 said that the country insists on the freedom of maritime and air navigation in the South China Sea in accordance with international conventions, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982. Image of US warships sail in the South China Sea. Photo: US Military News & Videos Vietnam requests other countries to follow international law and maintain the peace and stability in the region, Hang said in response to media requests after two US guided-missile destroyers patrolled near Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly Islands) on February 11. The guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance and USS Preble passed “within 12 nautical miles” of the Spratly Islands while conducting … [Read more...] about Vietnam reiterates respect to freedom of maritime navigation as US warships sail past Spratlys
Spratly
Vietnam reiterates respect to freedom of maritime navigation as US vessels sail past Spratlys
The Hanoitimes - Vietnam insists on free maritime navigation as long as other countries follow international law and maintain the peace and stability in the region. Spokeswoman of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on February 15 said that the country insists on the freedom of maritime and air navigation in the South China Sea in accordance with international conventions, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982. Image of US warships sail in the South China Sea. Photo: US Military News & Videos Vietnam requests other countries to follow international law and maintain the peace and stability in the region, Hang said in response to media requests after two US guided-missile destroyers patrolled near Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly Islands) on February 11. The guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance and USS Preble passed “within 12 nautical miles” of the Spratly Islands while conducting … [Read more...] about Vietnam reiterates respect to freedom of maritime navigation as US vessels sail past Spratlys
Spratly Islands celebrate Lunar New Year
Tet atmosphere is palpable on Nam Yet Island, the third-largest island on Tizard Bank in the northwest of the Spratly Islands as Vietnamese celebrate the Lunar New Year with support from the mainland. The Ministry of Defence and the Naval Zone 4 Command send tonnes of Tet gifts to locals and naval officers on the Spratly Islands every year. The inland authorities, organisations and individuals also sent gifts which include food, flowers, utensils and other tools. The officers have enough ingredients to make their own Chung cakes. After receiving the food from the Naval Zone 4 Command, they organised celebrations for Tet with the locals. This year, they hold a mini contest to make Chung cakes along with various activities including tug-of-war and blindfold football. Many of the islands have been equipped with wind and solar power and seawater filters and are able to enjoy satellite television to share New Year’s Eve with millions of others across Vietnam. Some photos of the … [Read more...] about Spratly Islands celebrate Lunar New Year
Taiwan infringes Vietnam’s sovereignty over Spratlys: MOFA
The Hanoitimes - A Vietnamese foreign ministry representative said that Vietnam had sufficient legal and historical evidences to prove it possesses sovereignty over the Spratly and the Paracel Islands. Taiwan, with its live-fire drills, seriously infringed Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, Vice Spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Tra of the Vietnamese Foreign Affair Ministry said Thursday. Vietnamese spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Tra at Thursday press conference. Photo: MOFA Tra said Vietnam absolutely opposed the maneuvers and repeatedly asked Taipei to stop the exercises. She described the live-fire drills in Ba Binh island (Itu Aba island) as a threat to regional peace, stability and security. At a news conference, Tra said that Vietnam had sufficient legal and historical evidence to prove it possessed sovereignty over the Spratly and the Paracel Islands. Taiwan’s Coast Guard is conducting its final set of live-fire … [Read more...] about Taiwan infringes Vietnam’s sovereignty over Spratlys: MOFA
Vietnam denounces Taiwan’s live-fire drills on Spratly Archipelago
An aerial view shows of Binh Ba, or Itu Aba Island, in the South China Sea, November 29, 2016. Photo by Reuters/Fabian Hamacher It is also threat to peace, stability, safety and maritime security in the South China Sea, it added. "Once again, Vietnam resolutely opposes Taiwan's actions and demand that it ceases similar activities in the future," Foreign Ministry deputy spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Tra said at a regular press conference. A Taiwan News report said Wednesday that Taiwan's drill on the Binh Ba Island, known internationally as the Itu Aba Island, would last from Wednesday to Friday. The drills will be held from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and reviewed on Friday, the report said. Defense officials from Taiwan were also present on the island to oversee the drills. The drills aim to "maintain the security and integrity of Taiwan’s territory" and is "part of a routine annual schedule," the Taiwan News quoted the United Daily News as saying. It also said … [Read more...] about Vietnam denounces Taiwan’s live-fire drills on Spratly Archipelago