At a Foreign Ministry press briefing on August 7, spokesperson Le Hai Binh responded to many questions that concern Vietnamese and foreign reporters.
Regarding Vietnam's response to news saying that the Nanhai Maritime Safety Administration has finalized its field measurement survey on 5 islands of the Hoang Sa archipelagoes aiming to select suitable sites for lighthouse construction, Binh said, "Vietnamese competent agencies have actively verified this information. However, we have repeatedly affirmed that Vietnam has indisputable sovereignty over the two islands. Therefore, all Chinese activities in the two islands are illegal and null and void".
Earlier on August 6, China’s Xinhua news agency said, the country had been surveying sites for lighthouses on 5 islands, namely North Reef, Antelope Reef, Drummond Island, South Sand and Pyramid Rock belonging to Vietnam’s Hoang Sa.
China also declared that it will continue carrying out geological measurement activities and collect geological samples on the islands of the Paracel Islands to collect authentic data for lighthouse building.
In reply to reporters’ question about Vietnam's reaction to the news that China will use deep-water seismic vessel "HYSY 721" in geological survey and oil and gas exploration activities in the East Sea, Binh said all activities conducted by parties concerned in the East Sea should adhere to international law, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) and all parties should respect the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of coastal countries.
