Mr. Luong Thanh Nghi - Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam

(VOVworld) - A spokesperson for Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry has called on China to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa, Paracel, and Truong Sa, Spratly, Archipelagos. Luong Thanh Nghi was responding to media inquiries over recent instances of China seriously violating Vietnamese sovereignty in the Paracel and Spratly Archipelagos. They include the construction of the so-called Sansha City, and hoisting a flag to mark China’s National Day on an island in Paracel Archipelago. The Chinese Navy have also undergone naval exercises in the territorial waters around the Paracel Islands, and set up a Meteorological Station in Sansha. Spokesperson Nghi says ‘China has seriously violated Vietnamese sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Archipelagos as well as international law, and the agreements on how to deal with maritime issues signed by both countries last October. Their actions have gone counter to the spirit of the Declaration of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea which was signed this year between ASEAN and China. As a result, they have made the East Sea issue much more complicated. China’s activities are also completely worthless. Vietnam asks China to respect its sovereignty, and not to conduct similar activities in the future. We would prefer that China makes practical contributions to developing our bilateral friendship and cooperative relationship as well as maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea region.’

At the regular press briefing on Thursday, spokesman Nghi said Vietnam welcomed the cooperation treaty between the Government of Sudan and South Sudan. He hoped that the agreement will boost bilateral cooperation for mutual interest.