Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang made the assertion on May 26 in reply to questions on Vietnam’s reaction to the Taiwanese action. “Vietnam has full historical evidence and legal grounds to prove its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spartly) archipelagos," Hang said.

Taiwan’s numerous drills around Ba Binh island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago is a serious violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelago, threatening peace, stability, security, safety of navigation, as well as causing tensions and complicating the situation in the East Sea, she added.

Furthermore Vietnam vehemently opposes and demands that Taiwan not repeat similar activities,” the official said.