China asked to take responsible, constructive actions in East Sea

16/06/2017

China, as a big country in the region and the world, needs to act responsibly and constructively in the maintenance of peace and stability in the region as well as in the East Sea on the basis of complying with international law, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang has said. 

A photo shows China’s island reclamation in the East Sea (Photo: CSIS)

Hang made the statement at the ministry’s regular press conference on June 15 while answering a question about the information that China is in the process of militarising islands in Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagoes.

“Vietnam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidence affirming its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos,” she stressed.

Any activities by foreign countries in the areas of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission is completely illegal and cannot change the fact that Vietnam has sovereignty over these two archipelagos, she added.

In an annual report released earlier this month, the Pentagon said that as of late last year, China was building 24 fighter-sized hangars, fixed-weapons positions, barracks, administration buildings, and communication facilities on each of the three largest outposts Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reefs. Each has runways that are at least 8,800 feet (2,680 meters) long.

Once complete, the report said China will be able to house up to three regiments of fighters in the Spratly Islands.

China has also built up infrastructure on the four smaller outposts, including land-based guns and communications facilities, the report said./.

VNA

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