Minh said that China’s decision to operate unilaterally the drilling rig and a large number of ships, including military vessels is illegal, running counter to international law and practices and seriously violating Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, as well as its sovereign right and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

This also negatively affects the political trust and aspects of cooperation between the two countries, hurting the sentiment of the Vietnamese people.

Vietnam strongly opposes this act, requesting China to withdraw drilling rig HD-981 and other escort vessels from the area and sit for negotiations to deal with differences over the issue.

“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.” Minh said.

The country will take all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests, he emphasized.

Vietnam always shows goodwill and tenacity to satisfactorily resolve the dispute through negotiations, dialogues and other peaceful means in accordance with the common perception of the two countries’ senior leaders and international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Minh added.