1. Could you comment on Viet Nam’s nomination as the candidate for non-permanent UNSC seat by the Asia-Pacific Group?
On May 25th, at a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Group at the United Nations, the Group reached consensus of nominating Viet Nam as the only candidate of the region for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020-2021 tenure which will be decided by an election on June 2019. The Asian-Pacific countries’ nomination of Viet Nam as the only candidate of the region reflects the group’s support for and trust in the country’s role and capacity. The nomination is an initial important outcome, facilitating Viet Nam for canvassing the support from UN member countries in other regions in the coming time.
Lately, Viet Nam has participated actively and responsibly in activities of the UN, like the Human Rights Council in the 2014-2016 tenure, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in the 2016-2018 tenure, and the UNESCO Executive Council in the 2015-2019 tenure. Especially, Viet Nam has accomplished soundly its non-permanent membership at the UNSC in the 2008-2009 term. The country has proactively, constructively and responsibly joined in the council’s activities and made initiatives contributing to maintaining international peace and security, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. The accomplishment of its non-permanent member role in the 2008-09 UNSC helped step up the relations between Viet Nam and other countries and international organizations as well as heighten the country’s international prestige and position.
2. There have been rapid developments on the Korean peninsula, what is your comment on that?
Viet Nam welcomes and supports related parties to continue promoting recent positive outcome, strengthening cooperation in building a nuclear-free Korea Peninsula and laying firm foundation for peace, stability, cooperation and development on the Korean peninsula and in the region and the world
3. The Philippines was reported to start construction of a runway on Thi Tu island in Truong Sa Islands, what’s your comment on that?
As stated, Viet Nam has full legal foundation and historical evidence for its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Islands in accordance with international law. All activities undertaken on these two islands without Viet Nam’s permission is a serious violation of Viet Nam’s sovereignty, is illegal and has no legal effect.
Viet Nam's consistent stance is that all disputes in the East Sea must be resolved by peaceful means in accordance with international law. Therefore, while a solution is being sought out, Viet Nam calls for all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that would complicate the situation or expand disputes, running counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and we would like to emphasize that profound concerns regarding complicating developments in the East Sea have been raised in ASEAN documents.
4. What is Viet Nam’s reaction to China’s live fire drills in the Hoang Sa islands?
From May 9-12, China continued carrying out live-fire drills in the Hoang Sa islands, severely infringing Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the archipelago, and running counter to the agreement on basic principals guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Viet Nam and China as well as the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC), creating complication for the situation in the East Sea, and affecting negotiation on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China as well as the maintenance of peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea. Viet Nam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidence proving its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos in compliance with international law.
Viet Nam requests China not to repeat these activities and to respect the sovereignty of Viet Nam over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos as well as common perspectives reached by senior leaders of the two countries and international law, not taking actions that may cause tensions and complicate situation in the region
5. What is Viet Nam’s reaction to the two US Navy ships sailing within 12 nautical miles of several features of Hoang Sa Islands?
Viet Nam has sufficient historical evidence and legal foundation for its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos in accordance with international law.
Viet Nam respects nations' rights to freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea in accordance with international laws, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Viet Nam requests that nations contribute practically and responsibly to the maintenance of order, peace and the rule of law in the East Sea.
6. Could you provide Viet Nam’s reaction to recent Taiwan’s live fire drills on Ba Binh island, Truong Sa archipelago?
Viet Nam has sufficient legal foundations and historical evidence proving its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos under international law. All activities of Taiwan in Viet Nam’s Truong Sa archipelago, including its live-fire drill on Ba Binh island from May 23-25, seriously violated Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the archipelago, threatened peace, stability and maritime safety and security, caused tensions and complicated the situation in the East Sea.
Viet Nam resolutely protests the above mentioned activities and requests Taiwan not to repeat.
