Vietnam sends diplomatic note protesting China's live-fire drills in Hoang Sa

On March 20, the Maritime Safety Administration of Hainan Province, China issued five warnings for live-fire exercises from March 22 to March 24 in the Paracel Islands under Vietnam's sovereignty. On March 16, Beijing also announced plans to build Phu Lam, Duy Mong and Cay islands in the Paracel Islands into cities and important strategic logistics service bases.

"Vietnam has met and handed over a diplomatic note protesting China over these incidents," said Le Thi Thu Hang, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today. "These activities have seriously violated Vietnam's sovereignty over Hoang Sa, going against the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues between the two countries."

Ms. Hang affirmed that China also violated the spirit of the Declaration of the Parties (DOC), complicating the situation, which is not beneficial to the negotiation process of the Code of Conduct (COC) with ASEAN, and not beneficial to maintaining a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment in the East Sea.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman reiterated that Vietnam has sufficient legal basis and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa. Vietnam demands that China cease and not repeat similar activities, respect Vietnam's sovereignty, respect the common perception of the two countries' senior leaders and international law, and refrain from activities that increase tensions and complicate the situation in the region.