Vietnam opposes Taiwan’s live-fire exercises in Spratly archipelago

The Hanoitimes - Vietnam yesterday announced its objection to Taiwan (China)’s live-fire exercises on Ba Binh (Itu Aba) island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

The move seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands, said Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Phuong Tra on August 23 in reply to reporters’ question over Vietnam’s reaction to the drills.

Deputy Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Nguyen Phuong Tra

Taiwan’s continuation of live-fire drills on Itu Aba island in the Spratly archipelago, where Vietnam has legal basis and historic evidence to claim its sovereignty, has seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty, threatened navigation and aviation security and safety in the region, Tra stated.
Accordingly, Vietnam requests that Taiwan (China) immediately cease all live-fire excercises on Itu Aba island in Vietnam’s Spratly archipelago and do not repeat such actions in the future, Tra stressed.

Cam Anh