China’s organization of consecutive military exercises in the waters to the north-northeast of Viet Nam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) has violated Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the archipelago.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang made the above statement on August 26.

Hang made it clear that the China’s act runs counter to the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and complicates the situation, which is unfavorable for the current negotiations between ASEAN and China on a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) and for the maintenance of a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment in the East Sea.

Viet Nam demands China respect Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago, stop and not repeat such violations.