(VOVworld) – Vietnamese officials said on January 6 that two major civilian aircraft of China landed on the airfield that China illegally built on the Fiery Cross Reef of the Truong Sa archipelago.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh

Concerning this action by China, the spokesperson for Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry Le Hai Binh on Thursday said: “Vietnam once again lodged strong protest against China’s above-mentioned action. The Chinese test flights seriously encroaches on Viet Nam’s sovereignty, threatens regional peace, stability, and security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea. Viet Nam demands China immediately stop similar actions, respect relevant regulations of international law, and take no more actions that may further expand and complicate disputes. Vietnam will resolutely protect its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the East Sea through peaceful measures in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law”.
The same day, representatives of Vietnam's Foreign Ministry handed over a diplomatic note of protest to the incident to representatives of the Chinese embassy in Hanoi.