Vietnam has protested against a live-fire military drill conducted this week by Taiwan in the Truong Sa archipelago, demanding that it refrain from repeating such activity, Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said on March 30.
Binh asked parties involved in the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagoes to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty in the area and act responsibly.
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| Le Hai Binh, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs __Photo: Internet |
He spoke to reporters in response to a query about Vietnam’s reaction to reports that China is completing big military works on illegal man-made islands in Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago.
Vietnamese agencies are checking that information, Binh said, reiterating that Vietnam has a full legal foundation and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over Truong Sa and Hoang Sa.
Vietnam also resolutely protested against Taiwan (China)’s live-fire drill in waters around Ba Binh (Itu Aba) in Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago, Binh said. Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration held a live-fire exercise in Ba Binh waters from March 27-30.
Binh declared that the move “seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty" over Truong Sa archipelago. “It also threatens peace, stability and maritime safety and security in the East Sea, while elevating tension and complicating the situation in the waters,” he added.
