(MOFA) - On 12 July 2016, answering questions of journalists regarding Viet Nam’s reaction to the issuance of the Award by the Tribunal constituted under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in the arbitration between the Philippines and China, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, Le Hai Binh, stated:

“Viet Nam welcomes the fact that, on 12 July 2016, the Tribunal issued its Award in the arbitration between the Philippines and China. Viet Nam will make a statement on the content of this Award.

Viet Nam reaffirms its consistent position regarding this arbitration as fully reflected in the Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam transmitted to the Tribunal on 05 December 2014. Accordingly, Viet Nam strongly supports the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, including legal and diplomatic processes, refraining from the use or threat of use of force in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, maintenance of regional peace and stability, security, safety and freedoms of navigation and over-flight in the East Sea, and respect for the rule of law in the oceans and seas.

On this occasion, Viet Nam, once again, affirms its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagoes, its sovereignty over the internal water and territorial sea and sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Viet Nam as established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as all Viet Nam’s rights and interests of a legal nature in connection with the geographical features of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Archipelagoes.”