Xisha Qundao Is China’s Inherent Territory: Chinese Foreign Ministry

Dragon Media News Desk

China has reiterated that Xisha Qundao is an inherent part of Chinese territory and that construction activities carried out there fall within the scope of China’s sovereignty.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Thursday in response to a recent statement by a Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

The Vietnamese side had claimed sovereignty over Xisha Qundao and said that activities conducted there by foreign countries without Vietnam’s permission were “completely illegal and invalid.”

Responding to the statement, Guo said Xisha Qundao is China’s inherent territory and that necessary construction activities conducted by China on its own territory are entirely within the country’s sovereign rights.

“China’s necessary construction activities on its own territory fall entirely within the scope of China’s sovereignty, and the Vietnamese side has no right to make irresponsible remarks on this matter,” Guo said.

China maintains that its sovereignty over Xisha Qundao is supported by historical and legal grounds. Vietnam also asserts sovereignty over the islands, making the issue one of the continuing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.