Act responsibly in S China Sea: Vietnam urges China

Pentagon said China will be able to house up to three regiments of fighters in the Spratly Islands.

Hanoi, Jun 15: Vietnam urged China on Thursday to take responsible and constructive actions in the disputed South China Sea following a Pentagon report that highlighted Beijing's military buildup in the strategic waters.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang told reporters that her government has legal basis and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel islands in the South China Sea and that acts by foreign countries on the islands without Vietnam's permission were illegal.

"It's our view that China as a major power in the region and in the world needs to act in responsible and constructive manner in maintaining peace, stability in the region as well as in the East Sea on the basis of respecting international law," she said, referring to the South China Sea.

In an annual report released earlier this month, the Pentagon said that as of late last year, China was building 24 fighter-sized hangars, fixed-weapons positions, barracks, administration buildings, and communication facilities on each of the three largest outposts Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reefs. Each has runways that are at least 8,800 feet (2,680 meters) long.

Once complete, the report said China will be able to house up to three regiments of fighters in the Spratly Islands. China has also built up infrastructure on the four smaller outposts, including land-based guns and communications facilities, the report said. Vietnam, along with China and the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan claims parts of or all the Spratly islands, which are believed to sit on rich natural resources and occupy one of the world's busiest sea lanes.

PTI