Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, Head of Vietnam’s ASEAN SOM, today led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in an online format, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung attended the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting online on April 7.

The conference noted concerns about recent complicated developments in the East Sea, including acts of intimidation, coercion, and violations of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung shared concerns about recent complicated developments in the East Sea, proposed that ASEAN maintain solidarity and a principled stance, and make efforts to negotiate to build an effective COC.

Officials participating in the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting online on April 7.

Countries also agreed to continue prioritizing disease control, both overcoming consequences and promoting economic recovery.

Regarding the situation in Myanmar, the countries agreed that the complicated developments in recent times, including increased violence and casualties, not only affect Myanmar but also cooperation, solidarity, image and prestige.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung affirmed that Vietnam supports the application of ASEAN methods in approaching the Myanmar situation.

More than 200 Chinese ships anchored at the reef in the territorial waters of Sinh Ton Dong island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago since March 7, turning on lights all night without fishing despite favorable weather.

Philippine officials reacted strongly, including a statement from the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Manila would voice protests every day until Beijing withdrew all its ships.

At a press conference on March 25, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed that the activities of Chinese ships within the territorial waters of Sinh Ton Dong in the Truong Sa archipelago of Vietnam have violated Vietnam’s sovereignty.

Vietnam requests that China stop its violations, respect Vietnam’s sovereignty, willingly implement UNCLOS, strictly comply with the DOC, exercise restraint, and not complicate the situation.