In response to the media question about the April 19 announcement by the Chinese State Oceanic Administration on “The national plan on island protection” for the period from 2011 - 2020 and to 2030, which divides the East Sea into seven areas, including Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes of Viet Nam, on April 24, 2012, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi stated:

“Viet Nam has indisputable sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes, sovereign rights and national jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The announcement by China’s National Oceanic Administration to implement “The national plan on island protection” seriously infringes upon Viet Nam’s sovereignty over these two archipelagoes, sovereign rights and national jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, violates the 1982 UNCLOS and contravenes the Declaration on the Conducts of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). China must abolish this plan, strictly abide by the DOC and refrain from having further actions that complicate the situation in the East Sea".

On the same day, in response to the media about the purpose of Da Nang port calls by US naval ships (USS Blue Ridge, USS Chafee and USNS Safeguard) from April 23 - 27, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi said:

“These are annual exchange activities earlier agreed upon between the Vietnamese and the US navies. The two sides will participate in some community work, friendship exchanges, concerts, sport games and exchange of experience, especially in search and rescue."

Source: MOFA