The spokeswoman made the statement in Hanoi on August 5 while answering reporters’ questions on Vietnam's reaction to Chinese seismic studies in the Tri Ton island area of Hoang Sa archipelago (Paracels) and its construction work on the island.

“Vietnam demands that China immediately cease activities that violate Vietnam’s sovereignty and its sovereign rights in the East Sea and refrain from recurrences of such violations, to contribute to peace and stability in the East Sea and promote stable and healthy bilateral relations,” said the spokeswoman.

Nga said “since late May 2010, China has been sending the M/V Western Spirit seismic survey vessel, together with escort ships, to conduct seismic study in the Tri Ton island area of Hoang Sa archipelago and in the oil and gas exploration lots 141, 142 and 143 on Vietnam’s continental shelf, approximately 90 – 116 nautical miles from Ly Son island, east of the central province of Quang Ngai.

“China has also been carrying out ground levelling on Tri Ton island for construction works on this island,” she said.

“China’s actions has violated Vietnam’s indisputable sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago, Vietnam’s sovereign rights to the continental shelf and the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone in accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, going against the spirit of the Declaration of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea, and running counter to the common views of the Vietnamese and Chinese leaders in sustaining peace and stability, and refraining from further complicating the situation in the East Sea,” she said.

She went on to say the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made numerous representations to the Chinese side at different levels to expound its official views on these matters. However, China is continuing those activities.

(Source: CPV/VNA)