Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi Friday met with Vietnamese
Ambassador to China Tran Van Luat and lodged solemn representation
with Vietnam over its attempt to open a tourist route to the Nansha
islands.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan said Friday that
prior to this representation, China has showed concern and
expressed opposition over the issue many times.
It is reported that Vietnam will open a tourist route to the
Nansha islands in mid-April and organize the first tourist activity
to Nansha on April 19.
Kong said China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha
islands and surrounding waters, and Vietnam's move has infringed on
China's territorial sovereignty.
The spokesman expressed his hopes that Vietnam should abide by
the consensus reached between China and Vietnam, and honor its
commitment set forth in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties
in the South China Sea between China and the Association of
Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Kong said Vietnam should immediately stop taking any act that
may lead to further complication of the situation.
(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2004)