Statement on Việt Nam's submission on the limits of the extended continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles in respect of Central Area of the East Sea

Việt Nam presented to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) its Submission on the Limits of the Extended Continental Shelf in respect of the Central Area of the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) (VNM-C) at the UN headquarters in New York on July 17 morning (local time).

On this occasion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Việt Nam solemnly declared as follows:

1. As a continental state bordering the East Sea and a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Việt Nam, in accordance with the relevant provisions of UNCLOS and its natural geographical conditions, has fully legal and scientific bases to assert that it is entitled to a continental shelf extending beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. In 2009, Việt Nam completed two national submissions: The Partial Submission in respect of the Viet Nam’s Extended Continental Shelf: North Area of the East Sea (VNM-N) and the Partial Submission in respect of Việt Nam’s Extended Continental Shelf: Central Area of the East Sea (VNM-C); Viet Nam also cooperated with Malaysia in preparing the Joint Submission on the Limit of the Extended Continental Shelf in respect of the Southern Part of the East Sea. In May 2009, Việt Nam submitted the Submission on the extended continental shelf in respect of the North Area of the East Sea and, together with Malaysia, submitted the Joint Submission in respect of the Southern Part of the East Sea. In the Note Verbale delivered to CLCS at that time, Việt Nam affirmed that it would submit the Submission in respect of the Central Area at a later date (as stated in Note Verbale CLCS.37.2009.LOS dated 11 May 2009 from the Secretary-General of the United Nations to all Member States of the United Nations).

2. Việt Nam’s Submission on the Limit of the Extended Continental Shelf in respect of the Central Area of the East Sea, after other relevant coastal states in the East Sea have submitted their own Submissions since 2019, is to ensure Việt Nam’s lawful rights to its extended continental shelf in the central portion of the East Sea, to which Việt Nam affirms that this Submission in respect of the Central Area of the East Sea is without prejudice to maritime delimitation between Việt Nam and other relevant coastal states in the East Sea based on UNCLOS.

3. On this occasion, Việt Nam reaffirms its sovereignty over the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) Islands and Trường Sa (Spratly) Islands under international law, and the rights over its maritime zones in the East Sea established in accordance with UNCLOS. At the same time, Việt Nam stands ready and committed to resolve and manage all disputes and differences over territorial sovereignty related to the Hoàng Sa and Trường Sa Islands and maritime delimitation between Việt Nam and relevant coastal states in the East Sea by peaceful means and along with countries in the region and the international community, to maintain peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation, overflight, and sustainable development in the East Sea in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS.