China Reaffirms Sovereignty Over Xisha Islands in Response to Vietnam
China's foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reiterated that Xisha Qundao is inherent Chinese territory, rejecting Vietnamese criticism of construction.
China has firmly restated its claim of sovereignty over the Xisha Qundao (Paracel Islands), saying there is no dispute over the archipelago's status. The remarks came from Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun during a regular press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.
Guo was responding to a recent statement by a Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesperson that had raised objections to Chinese activities in the area. Without elaborating on the specific construction mentioned, Guo asserted that such actions fall within China's sovereign rights.
"The Xisha Qundao is China's inherent territory, over which there is no dispute at all," Guo said. "It is within China's sovereign rights to make necessary construction on its own territory and the Vietnamese side is in no position to point fingers."
The statement underscores ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where multiple nations have overlapping claims. China has consistently maintained that its activities in the region are lawful and defensive in nature.