(MOFA) - At the  Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Viet Nam on 19 November 2020, responding to a reporter’s question regarding how the South China Sea issue was discussed at the 37th ASEAN Summit and the 15th East Asia Summit, MOFA Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang stated:

At the 37th ASEAN Summit and the 15th East Asia Summit, many countries have expressed their concerns over the developments in the South China Sea and emphasized the need to maintain lasting peace and stability in this important sea area of the region. To this end, it is neccessary for the parties concerned to uphold their responsibility, especially to avoid actions that may further escalate tensions and complicate the situation, as well as to refrain from militarization. The participating countries also  stressed the need to uphold international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982) which set outs the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out, and to settle disputes by peaceful means. Furthermore, they called upon ASEAN and China to step up the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and  exert efforts to resume the negotiation on an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) which is consistent with international law, including the UNCLOS 1982.

The afore-mentioned elements have been fully reflected in the Chairman’s Statements of the 37th ASEAN Summit and the 15th East Asia Summit./.