Vietnam Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang (Photo: BNG)

During a Foreign Ministry’s regular press briefing online on Thursday, spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said the Chinese activities were illegal and demanded China stop all activities countering interests of both countries and complicating the East Sea situation. Answering questions on Vietnam’s reaction to China’s opening of two research outposts on Subi Reef and Fiery Cross Reef of Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, the spokeswoman reaffirmed Vietnam’s sufficient legal grounds and historical evidence confirming its national sovereignty over Spratly and Paracel achipelagoes thus all activities on those islands must have Vietnam’s permission. Vietnam asked China to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty and not to intensify tension, complicate the situation, and impact peace in the East Sea and the region as well as the negotiation of a Code of Conducts of Parties in the East Sea between ASEAN and China.