Vietnam opposes China's illegal drilling rig in its waters
Any activity conducted by foreign countries in Vietnam’s waters without permission is illegal and void, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh has affirmed, adding that the country absolutely opposes it.
Binh made the statement while answering reporters’ questions on a maritime notice issued by the China Maritime Safety Administration on May 3 saying that drilling rig HYSY-981 is operating in a location of 15 degree 29 minutes 58 seconds north latitude and 111 degree 12 minutes 06 seconds east longitude from May 2 to August 15.
The operation location of the drilling rig stated in the notice is totally within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, about 120 nautical miles from its coast, he said.
“Vietnam has full historical evidence and legal bases affirming its sovereignty over Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagoes as well as sovereign right and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” he stressed.-VNA
