Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Dung on February 14 protests against Taiwan’s recent military exercise using live ammunition on waters just west of Truong Sa (Spratly) Island in the East Sea.
"Vietnam has historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos. All activities in the two archipelagos which are not approved by Vietnam are violations of our nation’s sovereignty in these areas,” said Mr Dung in response to a question raised by the Vientam News Agency.
"Vietnam demands Taiwan not carry out similar activities in this region," said Mr Dung.
The spokesperson also praised a recent breakthrough in talks between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and five other countries that will see Pyongyang shut down its nuclear facility in return for international aid.
“Vietnam welcomes the important results of the fifth round of the six-party talks on the nuclear issue in the Korean peninsula," said Mr Dung.
"We hope that all parties will strictly implement the latest agreements and satisfactorily resolve the nuclear issue, thus contributing to peace and stability in Northeast Asia and the world at large," said Mr Dung.
