HAMOI: China is taking an aggressive stance on the South China Sea region drawing protests from Vietnam at a time when the entire world calls out China for its controversial role in the global transmission of novel coronavirus.
Beijing said it is setting up two administrative units on the islands in the South China Sea by taking advantage of the current situation when majority of the countries are busy containing the deadly coronavirus.
China said it conducive to enhancing and improving Sansha City’s administrative management as well as promoting development of the city’s economic growth and environment.
The country further said it has sovereignty over the Nansha and Xisha Islands and their adjacent waters.
Beijing further said it also enjoys the sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the waters, the seabed and subsoil thereof.
China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang, meanwhile, said Beijing opposes Vietnam’s actions that undermine China’s sovereignty and rights.
Shuang said this after Vietnam lodged a protest over China’s action on the South China Sea.
Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang issued a statement saying that Vietnam has affirmed that Vietnam has sufficient evidence and legal grounds to assert its sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel Islands.
Vietnam has also asked Beijing to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty.
The U.S. government, earlier this month, voiced concern after a Chinese Coast Guard vessel rammed and sank a Vietnamese fishing boat somewhere near the Paracels Island.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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