Vietnam protests illegal Chinese drills off Hoang Sa islands

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Her statement was made during a regular press briefing held in Hanoi on August 26.

Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on August 26 was responding to an inquiry regarding Vietnam's reaction to China performing naval exercises in the northern-northeastern sea regions off Hoang Sa Islands.

“The fact that China’s continued military exercises in the archipelago violate Vietnam's sovereignty over the islands, running counter to the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), while further complicating the situation. 

This is detrimental to current negotiations between China and ASEAN on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) and the maintenance of a peaceful, stable, and co-operative environment in the area", Hang said. 

Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang also stated that: "Vietnam requests China respect our sovereignty over Hoang Sa Islands, cancel the exercises and not repeat similar violations," Hang said.