Vietnam welcomes tribunal ruling on South China Sea dispute

Vietnam welcomed a tribunal ruling rejecting China's vast claims in the South China Sea, saying it strongly supports the settlement of such disputes through diplomatic and legal processes.

 

The ruling issued in The Hague on Tuesday involved a case brought by the Philippines, but China's claims also overlap with Vietnam's. China, which refused to participate in proceedings, has rejected the ruling.

 

Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh also reiterated Vietnam's sovereignty in the disputed Paracel and Spratly island chains.

 

Earlier in the day, Vietnam accused Chinese vessels of sinking a Vietnamese fishing boat near the Paracels on Saturday. The five fishermen were rescued by a trawler some seven hours later.