Pham Thu Hang is spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Responding to the media’s question about the China-Philippines tension around Bai Co May (Second Thomas Shoal), Pham Thu Hang said the East Sea tension may affect peace, security, and stability in the waters.

Any activity in the East Sea must adhere to international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), respect countries’ sovereignty, sovereign right, and jurisdiction established in line with the UNCLOS, not complicate the situation or escalate tensions, guarantee the freedom of navigation and overflight, and not use or threaten to use force, Hang said.

Vietnam calls on parties involved to exercise self-restraint, seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), resolve disputes by peaceful means, and together contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability, and cooperation in the East Sea, according to the spokesperson.