iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
The plane carrying 247 passengers had been flying to Frankfurt, Germany, from Mumbai, India
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Vietnam files UN claim to extended continental shelf in South China Sea
China says it firmly opposes Vietnam's submission and lodges solemn representations with the Vietnamese side
An aerial view of Southwest Cay, also known as Pugad Island, controlled by Vietnam and part of the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea. — Reuters
Vietnam has filed a claim with the United Nations for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China Sea, a month after regional neighbour the Philippines made a similar move, Vietnam's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
Hanoi is asking to extend the continental shelf beyond the current 200 nautical miles from relevant baselines in its territorial waters, the ministry said in a statement.
The submission also reaffirms Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, which it said was in accordance with international law.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Portions of the strategic waterway, where $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually, are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, as well as fish stocks.
China said it firmly opposed Vietnam's submission and had lodged solemn representations with the Vietnamese side.
"Vietnam's relevant claim covers part of China's Nansha Islands, which violates China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," said Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Vietnam's Foreign Ministry said it also sent a note verbale to the Secretary-General of the UN to state Vietnam's position regarding a similar submission filed by the Philippines last month.
In response, the Philippines said it was ready to engage with Vietnam on ways to achieve a mutually beneficial solution to South China Sea issues, in accordance with international law.
This is Vietnam's third submission of an ECS, the statement added, including a submission in respect of the North Area of the South China Sea, or Vietnam's East Sea, and a joint submission with Malaysia in respect to the southern part of the area in 2009.
More news from World
The autopsies on cook Recaldo Thomas and Mike Lynch were expected to be conducted on Friday, with Hannah Lynch due to follow on Saturday
PM2.5 reached levels higher than average in India due to human and industrial activity, according to the UN weather agency
The rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata on August 9 has stoked nationwide anger at the chronic issue of violence against women
The decision by District Judge Barker maintains a pause on the programme through September 23 to allow for legal briefing and a possible hearing
Trump has argued that the prosecution, and other legal cases against him, are politically motivated attempts to undermine his presidential campaign
The debate will be the first between Trump and Harris, who took over as the Democratic candidate from Biden following his decision to step aside on July 21
Unity between faiths has been the central theme of the pontiff's Asia trip and a declaration they signed called for 'religious harmony for the sake of humanity'