The Spokesperson made the statement during the MoFA's regular press briefing in Ha Noi on August 3.
The diplomat stressed that China's inclusion of a part of Hoang Sa, which belongs to Viet Nam's sovereignty, in its military exercise in the East Sea from July 29 to August 2 constitutes a serious violation of Viet Nam's sovereignty over this area.
The move also goes against the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), complicates the situation, and does not contribute to the ongoing negotiations between China and ASEAN on a Code of Conduct in the waters (COC) as well as to the maintenance of a peaceful, stable, and cooperative environment in the East Sea, the Spokesperson said.
"Viet Nam strongly opposes to that move and demands that China refrain from similar actions in the future," the Spokesperson said./.