Vietnam protests against China’s vessel ID stations in Paracel Islands
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This isn’t the first time that Vietnam has urged China to respect its sovereignty in the disputed South China Sea.
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HANOI – Vietnam is protesting against China’s installation of two automatic vessel identification stations in the Paracel Islands, saying it is a violation of the South-east Asian nation’s sovereignty.
“All activities on the Paracel Islands without Vietnam’s permission violate the nation’s sovereignty and are completely invalid,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang said in a statement posted on its website.
The statement followed media reports about Chinese-built ship ID stations at North Reef and Bombay Reef in the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.
This is not the first time that Vietnam has urged China to respect its sovereignty in the disputed South China Sea.
The South-east Asian nation had previously asked its neighbour to end tourism activities in the Paracel and Spratly islands, as well as desist from military drills in the contested waters.
Vietnam’s concerns came as Manila said it had removed a floating barrier installed by Beijing in a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, in what has become the latest flashpoint in the growing tensions between China and the Philippines.
Both Vietnam and the Philippines are among a clutch of countries that have opposed China’s new official map, contending that it violates their sovereignty. BLOOMBERG
