China blatantly says the Nansha administration will be placed on Spratly’s Fiery Cross Reef. The Fiery Cross Reef is one of the seven marine features in Vietnam’s Spratly archipelago where China has illegally built artificial islands and constructed various civilian and military structures in an attempt to control the East Sea. (Photo: AMTI/CSIS)

The Vietnamese localities said this act grossly violates international law and infringes Vietnam’s indisputable sovereignty and sovereign rights over the two archipelagos in the East Sea.

Da Nang residents have posted on social network Facebook and Zalo their assertion that Hoang Sa and Truong Sa have belonged to Vietnam since a long time ago. Da Nang-based MA in History Nguyen Minh Khoa said: “Hoang Sa and Truong Sa are part of Vietnam’s sovereignty and inseparable from Vietnam’s territories. This has been clarified by historical and cultural evidence as well as by international stance. China’s recent acts are flagrant and seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereignty. We protest these acts.”

Nguyen Tan Tuan, Chairman of Khanh Hoa province People’s Committee said China’s move violates international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. He added: “We demand an immediate end of this false action. Khanh Hoa authority and people continue to encourage fishermen to set sail for offshore fishing and contributing to protecting our sovereignty over seas and islands. We will work harder to build a stronger Truong Sa district, boost production, and firmly safeguard our country’s territorial integrity.”