Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Pham Thu Hang on Saturday commented on China’s illegal intrusion and seizure of Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago in Vietnam in 1974.

In response to reporters’ query on Vietnam's position concerning China's invasion of Hoang Sa in 1974, Hang reaffirmed that Vietnam has full legal basis and ample historical evidence to assert its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa Islands has been established since at least the 17th century in accordance with international law, and exercised in a peaceful, continuous, and public manner by successive Vietnamese states," Hang said.

Every act of threatening or using force in international relations, especially the use of force to resolve territorial disputes between states, is in complete contravention of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, and in serious violation of international law, she underlined.

“Such an act neither establishes any title of territorial sovereignty, nor changes the truth that sovereignty over the Hoang Sa Islands belongs to Vietnam.”

The Hoang Sa archipelago is blessed with over 30 islands, coral reefs, dunes, and rocky reefs in the East Vietnam Sea.

In the 17th century, several fisher teams were established on the Hoang Sa Islands by the Nguyen Lords to exploit aquatic resources and proclaim sovereignty over the archipelago.

Undergoing many historical periods, Hoang Sa remained a traditional fishing ground under the Vietnamese authorities.

However, China illegally used weapons to occupy the archipelago on January 19, 1974.

The Chinese side illicitly built bases and renovated some structures in Hoang Sa, regardless of the opposition from the world and Vietnam.

Vietnam has repeatedly protested China’s illegal acts, asserting Hanoi's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos in line with international law.

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