(MOFA) - On July 12 2021, in response to the questions from the Press on comments of Viet Nam on the 5th Anniversary of the Final Award issued by the Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea Arbitration, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam Le Thi Thu Hang stated as follows:

The position of Viet Nam with regard to the settlement of relevant disputes in the East Sea (South China Sea) is clear and consistent, according to which Viet Nam always supports the settlement of disputes pertaining to the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea through diplomatic and legal processes, without threat or use of force, and by peaceful solutions and means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Convention).

As a State Party to the Convention and a coastal state in the East Sea, Viet Nam requests that the relevant parties respect and fully implement their legal obligations as provided for in the Convention, cooperate with each other, actively and positively contribute to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, and the order in the East Sea based on international law.

On this occasion, Viet Nam also reaffirms its principled position on the issues of sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands, and the maritime zones under the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of Viet Nam as defined in accordance with the Convention./.