Hang said, 'Vietnam has sufficient historical evidence and legal ground confirming its sovereignty over Spratly and Paracel Archipelagos in line with international law. China’s act violates Vietnam’s national sovereignty over Spratly Islands, breaches international law, contradicts the principles of the fundamental agreement guiding the settlement of encounters at sea between Vietnam and China, escalates militarization, and runs counter to Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and countries’ efforts in the negotiation for a Code of Conduct on the East Sea. Vietnam asks China to respect Vietnam’s national sovereignty on Spratly and Paracel Islands, stop similar acts of violation, respect international law and awareness shared by leaders of the two countries in the East Sea issue, practically and responsibly contributing to bilateral friendship for peace and development in the East Sea”

Regarding US scholar Bill Hayton revelation of a letter from the Qing dynasty writing that Paracel was sea and had nothing to do with China’s sovereignty, the spokeswoman said the document proves Vietnam’s historical evidence and legal ground to consolidate its sovereignty over Spratly and Paracel Islands in line with international law.