Deputy spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet at a press meet in Hanoi, Aug. 8, 2024. Photo courtesy of the foreign ministry
Vietnam on Thursday requested China to fully respect its rights over the Paracel Islands and to release all illegally captured fishermen and vessels.
“The Paracel Islands belong to Vietnam. Vietnam has sovereignty, sovereignty rights and jurisdiction rights over the Paracel Islands and surrounding waters,” deputy spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet said at a press meet.
Viet said the fact that Chinese authorities, including its coast guards, have illegally captured Vietnamese fishermen and vessels at the sea regions of the Paracel Islands is a serious violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archepelago, as well as the fundamental and legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese fishermen.
“Vietnam resolutely opposes China’s actions, and requests China to fully respect Vietnam’s rights over the Paracel Islands, release all illegally detained Vietnamese fishermen and vessels, compensate for damage, and stop and not repeat the harassment and illegal capture of Vietnamese vessels and fishermen at the Paracel Islands,” Viet said.
Chinese forces on Sept. 29 beat Vietnamesde fishermen on the QNg 95739 TS fishing vessel and confiscated their belongings while they were operating within the Paracel Islands area.
Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang on Oct. 2 said Vietnam resolutely opposes to the violent behaviors of Chinese forces.
The Paracel Islands have been illegally occupied by China since 1974.
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