Official decries breach of East Sea by Taiwan

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lê Hải Bình has protested Taiwan’s violation of Việt Nam’s sovereignty over the Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lê Hải Bình has protested Taiwan’s violation of Việt Nam’s sovereignty over the Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelago.– VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lê Hải Bình has protested Taiwan’s violation of Việt Nam’s sovereignty over the Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelago. 

He raised the issue yesterday in response to reporters’ queries about Việt Nam’s stance on Taiwan’s arrangement of visits for its former senior officials to Ba Bình Island in Việt Nam’s Trường Sa archipelago, as well as its release of stamps featuring Ba Bình Island and other archipelagoes in the East Sea. 
Taiwan’s ongoing undertaking of illegal activities, including bringing its former senior officials to Ba Bình Island and releasing stamps highlighting its claims in the East Sea, regardless of Việt Nam’s concerns and protests in the past, are a serious violation of Việt Nam’s sovereignty, he said. He added that it further complicates the situation and hinders the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. 
He said Taiwan’s actions do not change the fact that Việt Nam holds sovereignty over the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) and Trường Sa archipelagoes. 
“Việt Nam resolutely demands that Taiwan end and prevent the repetition of similar actions, and make practical contributions to joint efforts with Việt Nam and concerned parties to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea,” Bình stated. – VNS