Hang made the above statement at a press briefing on Thursday when she was asked about Viet Nam’s reaction to the Chinese military drills which are underway from July 1-5.

The drills also further complicate the situation and they are not conducive to the current process of talks on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea between ASEAN and China as well as to the maintenance of a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment in the East Sea, said the Spokesperson.

Hang said Viet Nam has sent a diplomatic note opposing the military exercises and urging China not to repeat the similar actions in the future.

Earlier on Monday, the Maritime Safety Administration of China’s Hainan Province announced plans to hold military drills near Viet Nam’s Paracel Islands from July 1-5./.