Vietnam Demands End to Chinese Construction in Disputed South China Sea

Vietnam has issued a strong statement demanding an immediate end to new Chinese construction in the Paracel Islands, a territory it claims in the disputed South China Sea. The foreign ministry declared that all such foreign activities are resolutely opposed and must not be repeated.

The demand follows a Reuters report citing satellite imagery that revealed new installations on Yagong Island, known as Ba Ba Island in Vietnam. Security analysts suggest these developments could signal the commencement of an early-warning radar facility.

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Vietnam resolutely opposes this, has made serious representations and affirmed its position on the matter, and demands an immediate end to such activities and that they not be repeated.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang emphasized Vietnam's firm stance, stating, "Vietnam resolutely opposes this, has made serious representations and affirmed its position on the matter, and demands an immediate end to such activities and that they not be repeated." She further asserted that Vietnam possesses sufficient historical evidence and legal grounds, in accordance with international law, to affirm its sovereignty over the Paracels.

Hang explicitly stated that any foreign activities in the Paracel Islands, including those on Ba Ba Island and Hai Sam Reef (Antelope Reef), conducted without Vietnam's permission are "completely illegal and null and void." China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, after seizing them from the former South Vietnamese navy. Vietnam has been actively expanding its own network of bases in the Spratly Islands in recent years, which lie further south and are also subject to overlapping claims by the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei.

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Vietnam reiterates that all foreign activities in the Paracel Islands, including at Ba Ba Island and at Hai Sam Reef, conducted without Vietnam's permission are completely illegal and null and void.