National sovereignty is sacred, inviolable: Deputy PM

Sunday, 08/06/2014 10:49

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai on June 7 affirmed once again that Vietnam, with its pride and dignity of a sovereign nation, will never accept an exchange of its independence and sovereignty for anything and remains undaunted by threats or coercion.

Addressing a meeting marking World Ocean Day (June 8) and Vietnam Sea and Islands Week 2014 in Haiphong city, Hai stressed that protecting territorial sovereignty is a sacred task of all generations of Vietnamese people.

He recalled recent tensions in the East Sea after China unilaterally stationed its drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 deep inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

Chinese vessels, including military ships, deployed to protect the rig intimidated and attacked Vietnamese law enforcement boats at sea, injuring a number of sailors and damaging their property.

Particularly on May 26 Chinese ships sank a Vietnamese boat operating in their traditional fishing ground near the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.

The actions violated international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

They have so far received strong opposition from not only Vietnam but also many countries and organisations from around the world.

The Deputy PM said Vietnam endured untold suffering from aggressive wars in the past, therefore, it is cognizant of the value of peace. It has exercised restraint and done its utmost to maintain peace and friendship with China and other countries to build and develop the nation.

Vietnam desires peace and friendship on the basis of ensuring national independence and sovereignty. It resolves to struggle in accordance with international law to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Hai expressed his gratitude to Vietnam Coast Guard officers, fisherman and others who are confronted with numerous difficulties every day to safeguard national sovereignty at sea.

“The Party, State and people of Vietnam acknowledge and respect their contributions and sacrifices, and have introduced special policies for them,” he said.

On this occasion, he called on China to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty enshrined in the 1982 UNCLOS, and asked China to fully observe DOC, a Vietnam-China agreement with major guiding principles on settling marine issues as well as high-level agreements between the two countries’ leaders.

He also demanded that China immediately withdraw its drilling rig from Vietnam’s waters and settle disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law./.

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