Remarks by MOFA Spokesperson Le Hai Binh on China’s illegal reclamation activities

(MOFA) - Reacting to China’s illegal reclamation activities on Chu Thap (Fiery Cross) Reef in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago of Viet Nam, on 6 November 2014, MOFA Spokesperson Le Hai Binh stated,

“Viet Nam has sufficient legal ground and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagos. The above mentioned activities by China are in serious violation of Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa Archipelago and international law. They are also in contrary to the Declaration on the Conducts of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the Viet Nam – China Agreement on Basic Principles Guiding the Settlement of Sea Issues. These activities break the status quo, complicate the situation and are not in the interest of peace and stability in the region.

Viet Nam resolutely opposes the above mentioned illegal activities by China and requests China to respect Viet Nam’s sovereignty, strictly implement the DOC, immediately stop the reclamation work that breaks the status quo in the Truong Sa Archipelago, and refrain from the recurence of such wrongdoings.

On 6 November 2014, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam met with Representative of the China Embassy in Ha Noi to deliver a diplomatic note protesting the said activities.”