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Vietnam has formally reaffirmed its firm stance against any foreign operations within its maritime borders, specifically concerning the Spratly and Paracel archipelagos. The government’s statement serves as a direct reaction to reports involving recent military maneuvers conducted by Taiwan on Ba Binh Island, a feature that Vietnam recognizes as part of its Truong Sa archipelago.

According to Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang, any activity carried out by foreign entities in these areas without the explicit consent of the Vietnamese government is considered a breach of national sovereignty. In her remarks this Sunday, she emphasized that such actions are legally invalid under Vietnam’s interpretation of its territorial rights in the region.

The diplomatic protest was prompted by inquiries regarding a recent visit to Ba Binh Island by Taiwan’s Coast Guard Minister, Kuan Bi-ling. Reports indicate that during this visit, Taiwanese forces engaged in various exercises, including maneuvers involving armed landings and the interception of vessels. These activities have drawn sharp criticism from Hanoi, which views the ongoing presence of foreign forces on the island as an illegal occupation.

Ba Binh Island, recognized internationally as Itu Aba, holds the distinction of being the largest natural island within the Truong Sa archipelago. Vietnam has maintained a consistent historical and legal claim over the entirety of the island chain. Despite this, the island has remained under the control of Taiwanese authorities for decades, a situation that Hanoi continues to challenge as a violation of its sovereign territory.

The history of Taiwan’s presence on the island has shifted over the years, further complicating the local security environment. While Taiwan originally stationed marine forces there, they were replaced in 2000 by a specialized coast guard unit. Despite this change in designation, the unit remains heavily armed with weaponry, including machine guns and long-range mortars.

Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry further noted that these forces frequently conduct live-fire drills in the waters surrounding Ba Binh. Hanoi consistently denounces these ongoing exercises as illegal infringements on its rights. By reiterating its position, Vietnam aims to underscore the gravity of these actions and the ongoing challenges surrounding competing sovereignty claims in the region.