Spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The recent activity of China putting into useobservatories, that were built on structures it illegally constructed andrenovated in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, seriously violates Vietnam’ssovereignty over the islands, said spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry ofForeign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang.
Hang made the statement while fielding a reporters’ query as to Vietnam’sresponse to China’s actions in beginning to operate observatories on several structuresin the Truong Sa archipelago at the foreign ministry’s regular press conferencein Hanoi on November 8.
“Vietnam has sufficient legal grounds and historical evidence testifying itssovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes in conformity withinternational law,” the spokesperson said.
“Vietnam resolutely opposes the Chinese side’s activity and demands animmediate end to the operation,” she said.
The spokesperson asked China to stringently abide by the Vietnam-Chinaagreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issuesand the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); requestingthem not to complicate the situation or affect the peace, security, andstability in the East Sea and the wider region, as well as the efforts ofcountries concerned in the negotiation for a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.-VNA
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