Vietnam has strongly opposed all foreign activities in the Paracels archipelago, following a report of new Chinese construction on Yagong Island (known as Ba Ba Island by Vietnam), according to a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang. The statement, emailed to Reuters, emphasized Vietnam’s demand for an immediate end to such activities and asserted that any foreign actions in the Paracels without Vietnam’s permission are “completely illegal and null and void” [1].

The reported construction on Yagong Island, cited by Reuters on Tuesday based on satellite imagery, is speculated by security analysts to potentially be the beginning of an early-warning radar facility. Vietnam claims the entire Paracel Islands grouping as its own, despite China’s occupation of the islands since 1974, when China seized them from the former South Vietnam’s navy. Hang also noted that Vietnam possesses sufficient historical evidence and legal grounds to affirm its sovereignty over the Paracels in accordance with international law [1].

[1] Khanh Vu. “Vietnam demands end to activity in Paracels after report of Chinese construction.” Yahoo News, August 28, 2023. https://www.yahoo.com/news/world/articles/vietnam-demands-end-activity-paracels-131618269.html

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