Hanoi requested Beijing to cease its actions, including military drills that violate Vietnam’s sovereignty, in the Paracel Islands in the East Sea (referred to as the South China Sea).

Spokeswoman of Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang. Photo: MOFA

“China has seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelago by bringing part of Hoang Sa (Paracel Islands) in the military exercise area in the East Sea from July 29 to August 2,” Pham Thu Hang, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press conference on August 3.

Last week, China’s Maritime Safety Administration announced that China would conduct military drills in the South China Sea from July 29 to August 2, covering a large area, including Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (the Paracel Islands).

According to Hang, China’s actions complicated the situation, went against the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and were not conducive to the ongoing talks between ASEAN and China and on the Code of Conduct (COC) and the upkeep of a stable and cooperative environment in the East Sea.

She stated: “Vietnam resolutely opposes these violations and demands that China respect its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and refrain from committing them again.” 

China has occupied Hoang Sa since 1974.

Vietnam has stated time and time again that it has sufficient legal justification and historical evidence to assert its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes following international law.