'Stakeholders need to strictly adhere to the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), especially the regulation of restraint, without causing complicated acts and increasing disputes, including acts of occupying uninhabited structures in the South China Sea, acting responsibly and making practical and positive contributions to peace and stability in the region ', said Ms. Le Thi Thu Hang, spokesperson The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam today expressed its opinion when asked about the response to information 'China recently surrounded Thi Tu island and the US brought many B52s to rehearse in the South China Sea'.
Ms. Hang affirmed that these are the things that the countries concerned need to do while looking for peaceful solutions to disputes in the South China Sea, on the basis of international law and to facilitate the negotiation process of the Ministry. Code of conduct in the South China Sea (COC).
On March 5, Philippine officials said Chinese fishing vessels forced Filipino fishermen to leave shallow beaches in the territorial waters of Thi Tu island, under Vietnam's sovereignty but under Philippine control.
The Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) of the International Strategic Research Center (CSIS), based in the US, on February 7, said nearly 100 Chinese vessels, including naval vessels, seascape and dozens of fishing vessels, in mid-December approached Thi Tu island. This number dropped to 42 on January 26. The AMTI report said that the presence of the Chinese fleet was part of an effort to pressure, forcing the Philippines to stop its transformation on Thi Tu island.
On the US side, the country ordered two B52 aircraft flying over the East Sea on March 4, saying it was operating in the 'Continuous bombing presence' campaign to maintain the US military's readiness to fight. . Today, Washington continues to deploy two B52s, saying that the US regularly operates in the South China Sea to support its allies, partners and support the free and open Indian-Pacific strategy.
Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that Vietnam has full legal basis and evidence to affirm its sovereignty over the Spratly Islands as well as Hoang Sa archipelago in accordance with international law. .
Referring to the sinking of Chinese Quang Ngai fishing boats on March 6, Ms. Hang said that 5 rescued fishermen are still in the process and have not yet returned to the mainland. Vietnamese authorities are continuing to verify the incident and will ensure the legal rights and interests of fishermen. According to the National Committee for Emergency Response, Disaster Prevention and Rescue in Vietnam, Quang Ngai fishing vessels were sunk by Chinese ships (BKS 44101) in the area of Da Loi Island in the Paracel Islands of Vietnam.
