Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Hai Binh

(VOVworld) - Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman has once again upheld Vietnam’s indisputable sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos. Spokesman Le Hai Binh told the press in Hanoi on Thursday that all China’s activities in the two archipelagos are illegal and invalid. He was answering questions on Vietnam’s response to China’s dredging of a 1.7 kilometer channel around Duy Mong Island, part of Vietnam’s Paracel Archipelago.

Regarding a stabbing attack by a Chinese man killing 3 Vietnamese women and seriously injuring 2 others in Fangchenggang City, Guangxi Province, on July 22, the spokesman said Vietnamese diplomatic mission in China has urgently contacted Chinese authorities to verify the information and identities of victims: “The Vietnamese consular in Nam Ning has quickly worked with local authorities in Guangxi Province to provide immediate treatment for the victims and launch an early investigation. Vietnam Foreign Ministry’s Chief of the Consular Department met Deputy Chinese Ambassador in Hanoi to discuss the issue.”

Regarding Finland’s temporary detention of a military shipment from Vietnam to the Ukraine, the spokesman said this is a military equipment shipment on the way to maintenance in the framework of conventional military cooperation between the two countries. Vietnam is working with relevant parties to ensure customs clearance while in transit in Finland.