Vietnam Speaks Out on the Collision between Chinese and Philippine Vessels in the Territorial Waters of Thi Tu Island
Saturday, Oct/18/2025 - 07:13
(L&D) - The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on all parties to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa Archipelago, exercise restraint, and act responsibly.
Regarding the incident between Chinese government vessels and Philippine government vessels in the territorial waters of Thi Tu Island, which is part of the Truong Sa Archipelago, on October 12, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pham Thu Hang, stated today that Vietnam is deeply concerned about the information publicly released by the parties involved in recent days.
She emphasized that Vietnam has full historical and legal grounds to assert its clear and indisputable sovereignty over the Truong Sa Archipelago, including Thi Tu Island.
She stated: “First of all, we would like to emphasize that Vietnam has full historical and legal grounds to assert its clear and indisputable sovereignty over the Truong Sa Archipelago, including Thi Tu Island. Regarding the incident that occurred in the territorial waters of Thi Tu Island, Vietnam is deeply concerned about the information publicly released by the parties involved. Vietnam requests the relevant parties to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa Archipelago, exercise restraint, and act responsibly; to respect international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), and relevant international regulations on maritime security and safety, including the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG) adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO); and to create a favorable atmosphere for effective and substantive negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982, thereby contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, security, and safety in the East Sea and in the region,” the spokesperson stated.
A Chinese coast guard vessel (right) and a Philippine government vessel in the waters surrounding Thi Tu Island on October 12. Photo: Reuters.
Regarding the issue of Vietnamese citizens being detained in Cambodia, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided the following information:
“Immediately after receiving the information, Vietnam’s representative missions in Cambodia proactively worked with the relevant Cambodian authorities to obtain details about the case, requested that Cambodia ensure the security, safety, and living conditions of the Vietnamese citizens, and coordinated to complete the initial verification of their identities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed the Embassy and relevant units to immediately cooperate with the competent authorities in both countries to carry out the necessary consular procedures and to repatriate the citizens as soon as possible. In the coming period, 33 citizens are expected to be brought back to Vietnam.”
The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on October 12 reported that the government vessel BRP Datu Pagbuaya was hit by water cannon fire from a Chinese coast guard vessel in waters near Thi Tu Island, after which it was rammed at the stern, causing minor damage. Meanwhile, the Chinese coast guard accused the Philippine vessel of making a “dangerous approach,” prompting the Chinese government vessel to take “necessary blocking measures.”
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