China’s tourism activities on the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago are a serious violation of Viet Nam’s sovereignty, Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said on September 4.

Phan Vinh island in Viet Nam's Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago (Photo: VNA)

Speaking in reply to reporters’ questions about Viet Nam’s position on the Chinese launch of a new tourism route from Sanya City in China’s Hainan province to the Hoang Sa archipelago, the spokesman emphasised that the move counteracts the Viet Nam – China agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), further complicating the situation in the East Sea and the region.

He added that Viet Nam has indisputable sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago, and the country demands China end such an unlawful act immediately.

(Source: VNA)