HANOI: Vietnam has despatched diplomatic notes to China and the Philippines to protest towards their actions in contested South China Sea waters, and urging them to respect its territorial claims, it mentioned on Saturday (Might 3).
The assertion follows actions by China and the Philippines in Sandy Cay, which Vietnam considers a part of its territory, Vietnam’s international ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Grasp mentioned.
Chinese language state broadcaster CCTV final week mentioned its coast guard had landed on Sandy Cay as a part of maritime management operations to train its sovereignty, whereas the Philippines despatched a crew to the sandbars and located nobody there.
Each China and the Philippines additionally raised flags on Sandy Cay, actions analysts described as “petty provocations”.
“Vietnam requests that related events respect Vietnam’s sovereignty, adjust to worldwide legislation, and contribute to sustaining peace and stability within the East Sea,” Grasp mentioned within the assertion, utilizing Vietnam’s identify for the South China Sea.
“Vietnam has communicated and despatched diplomatic notes protesting related nations concerning actions that violate Vietnam’s sovereignty over Sandy Cay and associated entities of the Truong Sa,” she mentioned.
Truong Sa is the Vietnamese identify for the Spratly Islands.
The Chinese language and the Philippine embassy in Vietnam didn’t instantly reply to Reuters’ requests for feedback in the course of the weekend.