Hang made the remark on Thursday in response to Vietnamese and foreign reporters’ question about recent developments in the East Sea.

“Vietnam has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the sea areas in the East Sea that were specified in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which Vietnam and the countries bordering the East Sea are parties”, she said.

“Therefore, all activities of other countries in Vietnam’s sea areas must comply with the relevant regulations of UNCLOS and Vietnam’s law.”

Hang noted that without Vietnam’s permission, all activities of foreign countries in its waters are valueless and violate its waters as well as international law and UNCLOS.

The spokeswomen emphasized Vietnam’s consistent policy of resolutely and persistently struggling against any actions that infringe its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its sea areas by peaceful means in accordance with international law and UNCLOS.

“Vietnam attaches utmost importance to peace, friendship, cooperation, goodwill and is ready to resolve disputes, disagreements by peaceful measures,” said Hang.

Vietnamese authorised forces at sea have been exercising Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in a peaceful manner and in conformity with law to defend the country’s waters, she added.