(VOVworld) - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Vinh has affirmed Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago and the country’s absolute jurisdiction over the sea areas in accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Cuong talks CNN’s Christiane Amanpour (Source: CNN)

In an interview granted to CNN on Thursday, Vinh strongly opposed China’s illegal deployment of the oil rig Haiyang 981 in Vietnam’s territorial waters.

He emphatically stated that China’s incursion into Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf runs counter to international law and threatens peace, stability and maritime safety and security in the region.

Vinh noted that Vietnam has requested and continues to request that China remove its oil rig and escort ships from Vietnam’s waters.

Vinh insisted that China’s violation in the East Sea is totally unacceptable. He voiced strong opposition to China’s illegal actions in the Hoang Sa archipelago, saying Vietnam will do whatever is necessary to protect its national sovereignty and legitimate interests in the East Sea through peaceful means in line with international law, including UNCLOS.

Regarding disturbances in a number of localities, Deputy Foreign Minister Vinh said a few Vietnamese people’s tempers flared out of control while protesting China’s illegal acts. Vietnam took immediate steps to quell the disturbances, restoring law and order.

According to Vinh, businesses in the affected areas are back in operation, adding that many have expressed their appreciation for the Government’s efforts in ensuring safety and security for their operations in Vietnam.

Vinh also talked about the ramming and sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone. He noted that China’s actions violated international law and represent a deliberate interference with the livelihood of fishermen in the area causing irreparable harm to life and property, in direct violation of their legal interests.

Vietnam asks China to stop its inhumane acts, refrain from any further military or provocative actions that could further escalate tensions in the region, and conduct itself in line with international norms.