South China Sea important for Vietnam, others, says envoy

Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) [India], Oct. 7 (ANI): Vietnam's Ambassador to India, Ton Sinh Thanh, on Saturday said the South China Sea is important not only for countries in the region, but also for countries outside the region.

"South China Sea is very important not only to the countries in the region, but also outside the region," Ambassador Thanh told ANI on the sidelines of a United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He further admitted that there are still disputes, not only the dispute over the sovereignty of the islands, but also over the overlapping of special economic zones among some countries as well.

"This conference is very important and it is taking place at a very important venue, which is close to the South China Sea. Indo-Pacific is also very important for maritime security. However, the issue is how we should comply with United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," Ambassador Thanh added.

He mentioned that, "There has been the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCI) ruling, but the problem is how to enforce the rulings so that all countries here comply with the rules. This is the only way to maintain freedom of navigation and security in the region."

A thee-day conference on 'UNCLOS', has been organised by the India Foundation and is being held in Port Blair from October 5-7. (ANI)