Hanoi (VNA) – Spokeswoman of theForeign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang responded to reporters’ questions aboutseveral issues at a regular press conference on June 20.

Replying to a question about some Chinese goodsfound to be branded as made-in-Vietnam for export to a third country, Hang saidthe Vietnamese Government will firmly stop and strictly deal with trade fraudsand foreign products exported to other markets in the name of Vietnamese goods.

Over the last few days, the General Departmentof Vietnam Customs has taken steps to prevent such acts and protect domesticproduction, she added.

Regarding reports that in the recent past, someVietnamese fishing boats operating in the waters of Hoang Sa (Paracel)archipelago were driven away and had their assets and fishing toolsconfiscated, the spokeswoman emphasised that Vietnam has sufficient legalfoundation and historical evidence testifying to its sovereignty over Hoang Saand Truong Sa archipelagos in line with international law.

“The above-mentioned actions of China’sauthorised vessels violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa archipelago,infringed international law and the Vietnam-China agreement on basic principlesguiding the settlement of sea-related issues, and threatened the safety andassets of Vietnamese fishermen who were working normally in this sea area.

“Vietnam resolutely opposes the above-mentionedaction of the Chinese side and demands that China strictly deal with theChinese crew members and authorised vessels that committed the violations, payproper compensation to the affected Vietnamese fishermen, and educate theChinese crew members to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents,” Hangsaid.

She added that on June 19, a representative ofthe Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with a representative of theChinese Embassy in Hanoi to protest the abovementioned actions by the Chineseside and request China to verify the incident, properly compensate the affectedVietnamese fishermen and strictly handle the involved crew members and vessels.

Asked about the report that a steel fishing shipof China was said to have rammed into and sunk a Philippine fishing boat,leaving 22 Philippine fishermen adrift, Hang said Vietnam held that vessels,including fishing vessels, while operating at sea have the responsibility tocomply with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention onthe Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the initiatives of the UN’s InternationalMaritime Organisation (IMO). Accordingly, they have the responsibility tohumanely treat and assist fishermen in distress at sea.

She noted the Vietnamese fishing boat fulfilledthe international obligations while working at sea as regulated in the 1982UNCLOS and the IMO Convention, to which Vietnam is a party.

Meanwhile, commenting on a US Coast Guardofficial’s statement that Washington will increase this force’s presence in theEast Sea, she said as a country bordering the East Sea and a member of the 1982UNCLOS, Vietnam’s stance is that all countries are entitled to the freedom of navigationand aviation in conformity with international law as codified in the 1982UNCLOS.

“Vietnam requests that countries continue makingactive and practical contributions to maintaining peace and stability in theregion, respect and fulfil relevant legal obligations, and respect the lawwhile operating on seas and oceans,” the official added.-VNA