Vietnamese Ambassador to US condemns China’s illegal actions in East Sea on CNN

Vietnamese Ambassador to the US, Nguyen Quoc Cuong was interviewed recently by CNN reporter Amanpour at CNN’s headquarters in Washington on May 28.

The Ambassador affirmed that China’s actions seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereignty, international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) when the country placed the Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig and escort ships in Vietnam’s waters.

He also stressed that China is creating new difficulties on the ground and trying to turn an undisputed area into a disputed area, which is unacceptable.

In regard to Vietnam’s foreign policy, Mr Cuong said Vietnam pursues an independent foreign policy and hopes to maintain friendly relations with China, the US, and other countries but does not accept coercion or threats. He underscored Vietnamese people’s determination to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity. Furthermore, Vietnamese people around the world are well aware that nothing is more precious than independence and freedom./.