The recent activity of China putting into use observatories, that were built on structures it illegally constructed and renovated in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands, said spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang.

Spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang

Hang made the statement while fielding a reporters’ query as to Vietnam’s response to China’s actions in beginning to operate observatories on several structures in the Truong Sa archipelago at the foreign ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi on November 8.

“Vietnam has sufficient legal grounds and historical evidence testifying its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes in conformity with international law,” the spokesperson said.

“Vietnam resolutely opposes the Chinese side’s activity and demands an immediate end to the operation,” she said.

The spokesperson asked China to stringently abide by the Vietnam-China agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); requesting them not to complicate the situation or affect the peace, security, and stability in the East Sea and the wider region, as well as the efforts of countries concerned in the negotiation for a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.-VNA