HCMC – The Vietnamese Government has demanded that China stop its ongoing naval exercises and live-fire drills in the northeastern waters of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said at a press briefing today, August 26.
“China’s repeated military exercises in the Paracel Archipelago violate Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelago, go against the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, complicate the situation at sea and are not conducive to the ongoing negotiations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea and affect peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea,” Hang stated.
“Vietnam demands that China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Paracel Archipelago, stop the military drills and cease repeating similar violations.”
The Global Times reported that China is conducting large military drills in the East Sea until August 29. These activities cover parts of Vietnam’s Paracel Archipelago.
Vietnam has repeatedly reiterated that the Paracel and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos are inseparable and integral parts of its territory. Vietnam has sufficient historical and legal evidence of its sovereignty over the archipelagos in line with international law.
