Vietnam again claims Spratlys, Paracels
HO CHI MINH CITY - Vietnam has once again asserted its sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel archipelagoes after China built its sovereign markers at several locations on the baselines of territorial sea, including on the Paracels.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung yesterday told the Vietnam News Agency that Chinese magazine World Military Affairs reported in December that based on its 1992 Ordinance on Territorial Sea and Contiguous Areas and the 1996 Declaration on the Baselines of Territorial Sea, China began on November 1, 2005 to build its sovereign markers at several points on the baselines of territorial sea, including some on Paracel islands of Vietnam.
“Vietnam has sufficient historic evidence and legal foundation to prove its indisputable sovereignty over the two archipelagoes,” Dung said.
“The statements made by the Foreign Ministry spokesman in 1992 and 1996 said Vietnam does not accept any regulations on territorial sea and adjacent areas, the baselines as well as any activities of any countries on the Spratly and Paracel archipelagoes of Vietnam.
“China’s erection of territorial markers on the Paracels was a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty, so it is completely of no value.”
Dung said Vietnam reaffirmed its policy of resolving all disputes over the territorial waters between related countries through peaceful solutions on the basis of mutually respecting independence and sovereignty of one another.
All this must be in accordance with international laws and practices, especially the United Nations’ 1982 Convention on Sea Laws and the spirit of the 2002 Declaration of Conducts of Parties on the East Sea, in a bid to strengthen friendship and cooperation, and to maintain peace and stability on the East Sea, he said.
The Saigon Times Daily - December 29, 2006.
|