Vietnam Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh. Photo: VNA

VOVworld) – The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague decided on Thursday to expand its jurisdiction to the East Sea to consider the case of a territorial dispute between the Philippines and China. China has refused to take part in hearings in the court and said it does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Zhenmin said on Friday.

In response to reporters’ question over Vietnam’s reaction to this matter, Vietnam Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh reiterated Vietnam’s indisputable sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos. In its submission to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PAC) on December 5^th, 2014, Vietnam said it will closely follow the case and reserve the right to use every appropriate and necessary peaceful mean to protect its rights and legal interests in the East Sea.

Binh said Vietnam respects the implementation of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and hopes the court will apply the Convention’s regulations in making any jurisdictions. Binh said Vietnam asked the court to assert its jurisdiction, give “due regard” to Vietnam’s rights and interests in the East Sea, adding that Vietnam will consider future actions to protect its national interests.