VN resolutely protests China’s flights to Fiery Cross Reef

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh.

Vietnamese competent agencies have reported that China on Saturday conducted trial flying to the Fiery Cross Reef which is part of Viet Nam’s Truong Sa archipelago.

Viet Nam demands China immediately stop such deed and take practical actions to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, Mr. Binh said.

The aforesaid deed by China seriously encroaches on Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa archipelago, goes against the common perceptions of the senior leaders of the two countries, the Viet Nam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea. It also undermines peace and stability in the East Sea and political trust between the two countries, and negatively affects the neighboring relations and sentiments of the two peoples.

The same day, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry met with Chinese embassy representatives in Ha Noi to hand over a diplomatic note of protest./.

By Thuy Dung