China and Vietnam's relationship remains strained by historical disputes and South China Sea tensions. Approximately three weeks ago, Hanoi protested Beijing's island reclamation activities in the Paracel Islands, with Vietnam asserting it has sufficient evidence and legal basis to claim sovereignty over the disputed territory.

Vietnam calls on China to respect sovereignty over Hoang Sa Vietnam requests China to respect its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands in accordance with international law, as well as Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over its maritime zones established in line with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.