This was confirmed at an international press conference on developments in the East Sea held by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi on May 23, which was attended by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh, Deputy Head of National Boundary Commission Tran Duy Hai along with journalists from major media agencies like AFP, AP and NHK.

At the press conference, Vietnamese representatives continued demanding China remove its Haiyang Shiyou – 981 oil rig and escort vessels out of Vietnam’s territorial waters to avoid affecting regional maritime security.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh (centre) chaired the conference. Photo by Dtinews

Deputy National Boundary Commission Hai confirmed that Vietnam has sufficient legal and historical foundations affirming its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands. This sovereignty is recognized by international law and faces no objection from other countries.

Vietnam Oil and Gas Group CEO Do Van Hau said oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities in the East Sea have been carried out since late 1960s - early 1970s . Since then, Vietnam has controlled the 200 nautical mile limit of its exclusive economic zone. Consequently, the area China had placed its oil rig belongs Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone.

Regarding a question in a letter sent by former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong to China in 1958, Hai confirmed Dong’s letter is only a diplomatic document, stating that Vietnam respects China's sovereignty within 12 nautical miles, absolutely not mention of China's sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.

The value of the letter should be put in the specific context then Hoang Sa and Truong Sa belong to Vietnam’s sovereignty under the 1954 Geneva Agreement that China had engaged in, Hai added

He said Dong’s letter was null and void for the recognition of China's sovereignty over the two archipelagos.