Vietnam has requested China refrain from actions that would escalate tensions and further complicate the situation in the South China Sea after the latter has recently conducted activities violating the former’s maritime territory.

Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the online press meeting on March 26. Photo: MOFA

According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, China has launched two research stations on Da Chu Thap (Fiery Cross Reef) and Subi Reef on Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) islands in the South China Sea when the world is busy with fighting the new coronavirus.

“Vietnam requests China respect our sovereignty, refrain from actions that would escalate tensions and further complicate the situation, affecting the peace and stability of the South China Sea and the region, as well as the efforts of other countries in the negotiations of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea between ASEAN countries and China,” stated Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at an online press meeting Thursday.

She repeatedly that Vietnam has sufficient legal bases and historical evidence to affirm our sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel islands in accordance with international law. “Accordingly, all activities conducted on these islands must first receive permission by Vietnam,” the spokesperson added.