Every drill and patrol activity of Taiwan around the Spratly Islands (Truong Sa) is a serious violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands, threatening peace, stability, safety, and maritime security and complicating the East Sea situation.

Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang stressed the view during a press conference today [November 18], noting such deployment should not be repeated.

“Vietnam has sufficient historical evidence and legal basis to assert its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in accordance with international law”, Hang said.

The Vietnamese spokesperson stressed that the country resolutely protests the submarine deployment and asks Taiwan to cease such acts.

Also at the press briefing, queries have been raised over the recent incident in which Chinese coastguard vessels blocked and fired water cannons at two Philippines resupply boats while they were heading to the Second Thomas Shoal of Vietnam’s Spratly Islands. 

On the issue, Hang stated that Vietnam's stance on the  Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands is evident and consistent.

“Vietnam calls for the parties to comply with international laws, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, refrain from activities that could complicate the situation in the East Sea, contribute to maintaining the peace, security, stability and legal order at seas and in the region”, the Spokesperson stated at the briefing.

Earlier this week, the Taiwan News reported that Taiwan has deployed Hai Lung - one of its two most advanced submarines in naval drills near the Spratly Islands in the sea.

The submarine has a length of 66.9 meters with an 8.4-meter-wide beam and can reach a speed of up to 20 knots when submerged. Their weapons systems are capable of launching up to 28 torpedoes from their six 533mm torpedo tubes.

Besides, Taiwan has a total of four submarines, two of them dating from World War II, making them among the oldest operational submarines in the world.