Vietnam asks China not to repeat yacht racing in Vietnam's Drummond Island
(VOVWORLD) - The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry has reiterated that Vietnam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidence testifying to its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in accordance with international law.
 Vietnam Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang |
In response to reporters’ question during regular press briefing on Thursday, spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said China’s recent repeated yacht racing event in Hoang Sa’s Duy Mong Island, or Drummond Island from April 22-26 seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over this archipelago; ran counter to the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Vietnam and China; violated the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); complicated the situation in a way that is unfavourable for the maintenance of a peaceful, stable, and co-operative environment in the East Sea. The spokeswoman said that Vietnam demands that China stop and not repeat similar activities, respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos, respect the common perceptions reached by the two countries’ senior leaders as well as international law and cease activities escalating tensions or complicating the situation in the region.