Vietnam protests China’s flights to Fiery Cross Reef

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh said on January 2 that China’s actions seriously violated the sovereignty of Vietnam on the Spratly Archipelago, and were contrary to the common perception of the two countries' senior leaders, who agreed to resolve maritime issues in the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) in 2002.

It also undermines peace and stability in the East Sea and political trust between the two countries, and negatively affects the relations and sentiments of the two peoples. Vietnam resolutely protests China’s actions and demands China immediately stop such deeds and take practical steps to maintain peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea. The same day, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry met with Chinese embassy representatives in Hanoi to hand over a diplomatic note of protest.