(MOFA) - Regarding the 18 April 2020 announcement by China on the establishment of the so-called “Xisha district” (the Hoàng Sa Islands of Viet Nam) and “Nansha district” (the Trường Sa Islands of Viet Nam) under “Sansha city”, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang stated:

Viet Nam has firmly stated on various occasions that Viet Nam has ample historical evidence and legal basis to affirm its sovereignty over the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) and Trường Sa (Spratly) Islands.

Vietnam's consistent position is to strongly protest the establishment of the so-called “Sansha city” and related acts as they seriously violate Viet Nam's sovereignty, are invalid and not recognized. These acts are not conducive to the development of the friendly relations between countries and further complicate the situation in the East Sea (South China Sea), the region and the world.

Viet Nam demands that China respect Viet Nam’s sovereignty and annul its wrongful decisions and not repeat similar activities in the future.