VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam has once again asked China to end its provocative actions in the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago in order to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi told reporters on Tuesday.

 

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi.

 

Nghi was queried on the ministry's response to some of China's recent acts in the region, which include senior Chinese officials officially opening a Xinhua bookstore on Hoang Sa's Phu Lam Island, Chinese tourist agencies bringing visitors to the archipelago and an increase in Chinese fishing activity in Vietnamese waters.

"Viet Nam affirms its indisputable sovereignty over Hoang Sa archipelago. These actions from the Chinese side seriously violated Viet Nam's sovereignty and ran counter to the agreement guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Viet Nam and China," he said.

The acts did not comply with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and had caused a rise in tensions over the East Sea situation, he added.

On the same day, the Chairman of the Da Nang City People's Committee, Van Huu Chien, declared Hoang Sa to be an island district belonging to central Da Nang city and an inseparable part of Viet Nam's territory.

China's decision to bring tourists to Hoang Sa violated Viet Nam's sovereignty and had created discontent among Da Nang authorities and people, he said.

"We strongly oppose this illegal action and request China to immediately put an end to organising tours and other activities on Hoang Sa archipelago," he stressed.

Source: VNS