Vietnam’s stance on the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos is clear, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Dung on March 9.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Dung.

Mr Dung made the reaffirmation in response to reporters’ questions relating to a visit to the Da Hoa Lau (Swallow Reef) island of Truong Sa by Malaysian Prime Minister Badawi and the PM’s proclamation about Malaysia’s sovereignty over the island and surrounding territorial waters.

“While seeking basic and long-term solutions to conflicts over these two archipelagos, Vietnam believes that concerned parties should observe the United Nation’s 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on the East Sea and not act to complicate the situation in order to maintain peace, stability and cooperation in the region,” he said.

VietNamNet/VOV