VietNamNet Bridge – Relating to China’s building of artificial islands in Truong Sa (Spratly Islands) of Vietnam, the Chief of the Government Office Nguyen Van Nen said that Vietnam has sent eight diplomatic notes to China to protest their illegal activities.

Chairman of the Government Office Nguyen Van Nen.

At the government’s monthly press conference on May 27, Nen said that in the opening meeting of the National Assembly (NA) session last week, the NA had asked the Government to submit a supplementary report on this issue.

He said besides sending the diplomatic notes to China and member states of the United Nations to protest China’s action, the Foreign Ministry spokesman also raised his voice about 10 times on this issue.

Nen confirmed that the Government had requested relevant agencies to update and report to the NA the latest information about the situation.

Nen said the ties between Vietnam and China reflect a longstanding relationship. The similarities between the two countries will be further promoted and the disagreements will be discussed and solved on the basis of respect for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS).

“The general rule is not to change the status quo, not to make the situation worse. The consistent view of Vietnam is struggle by peaceful means," Nen said.

He added that Vietnam and ASEAN countries had recently issued a joint statement expressing deep concern about this issue. The UN Secretary General also noted, shared and expressed his views with Vietnam.

At the press conference, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan said that China was aggressively conducting construction activities on all reefs that China illegally occupies in Truong Sa, including Tu Nghia (Hughes), Gac Ma (Johnson), Chau Vien (London), Ga Ven (Gaven), and Chu Thap (Fiery Cross).

"This is a strategic step to realize China's U-shaped line in the East Sea. It does not exclude that this country wants to exclusively control the entire Southern sea. This is a serious violation to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Many countries have strongly opposed these actions, including Vietnam,” Tuan said.

Tran Cham