In response to the announcement by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation to invite international biddings for 09 oil blocks within Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi on June 26, 2012 states:

First and foremost, it must be affirmed that the area that the China National Offshore Oil Corporation announced to open for international biddings lies entirely within Viet Nam’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It is absolutely not a disputed area.

The Chinese blatant invitation of bids for an area in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf is an illegal and invalid action, which seriously violates Viet Nam’s sovereign rights, jurisdiction right and legitimate national interests as well as the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to which China itself is a member State, complicates the situation and causes tensions in the East Sea.

Viet Nam strongly condemns and asks that China cancel the above mentioned wrongful bid invitation, take no further actions that may complicate the situation in the East Sea and expand disputes, strictly comply with the Viet Nam - China Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues, and respect international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.