(VOVworld) – Vietnam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidence to claim sovereignty over Truong Sa archipelago, said a spokesperson for Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry on Monday.

China’s recent construction and expansion of solid works surrounding several reefs in Truong Sa archipelago.

 Le Hai Binh made the statement in answer to a question about Vietnam’s reaction to China’s recent construction and expansion of solid works surrounding several reefs in Truong Sa archipelago. China has illegally expanded or constructed works around the Johnson South Reef and other sites in the Truong Sa archipelago that China occupied by force in March, 1988. Vietnam strongly condemned this illegal act, asking China to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and halt unilateral actions that change the status quo of Truong Sa archipelago and other areas in the East Sea.

Regarding the upcoming visit to Vietnam by Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, Binh said the illegal placement by China of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou–981 in Vietnam’s territorial waters will most certainly be among the topics discussed at the meeting between the two chairmen of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation. Binh said Vietnam has always been very persistent in seeking all channels for dialogue with China to resolve tensions in the East Sea peacefully and the meeting is such a channel.