Vietnam expressed deep concern and requested the International Civil Aviation Organization to correct the map of the Sanya Flight Information Region, which includes the airport symbol with incorrect text about the Cross Reef, which belongs to Vietnam's sovereignty.

China violated Vietnam's sovereignty by sending a civilian aircraft to the Fiery Cross Reef. Photo: News.cn

According to a statement issued today by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the official website of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) posted an aviation map of the Sanya Flight Information Region (FIR), which includes the Chinese text "Sansha City - China" and an airport symbol on the Cross Reef with the English text "Yongshu Airport - Sansha".

The Ministry's statement said that Vietnamese authorities have sent a letter to ICAO, clearly affirming Vietnam's sovereignty, noting that China's opening of an air route to the Cross Reef violates ICAO regulations on aviation safety. "Vietnam is deeply concerned about these incidents and at the same time requests ICAO to revise the aviation map of the Sanya FIR accordingly," the statement said.

"Vietnam has repeatedly voiced its opposition to China's establishment of the so-called 'Sansha City', construction of artificial islands in the Spratly Islands, and airports on these islands... These actions by China have violated Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos and Vietnam's other legitimate rights in the East Sea," said Le Hai Binh, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Binh also emphasized Vietnam's indisputable sovereignty over the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos.

According to the Vietnam News Agency, the United Nations yesterday circulated two diplomatic notes that the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave to China this month, in which it protested the flight to the Cross Reef. The two notes were circulated as official documents of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

On January 7, the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations sent a diplomatic note to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, requesting the circulation of two diplomatic notes that the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave to the Chinese side on January 2 and January 7.

The two diplomatic notes protested China's flights to Cross Reef in the Truong Sa archipelago, clearly affirming that these activities violated Vietnam's sovereignty and threatened peace, stability, and aviation safety and security in the East Sea region.

According to VNE