Vietnam protests Chinese construction activity in disputed Paracel Islands

Vietnam said on Friday it firmly opposes all foreign activities in the Paracels, reiterating its sovereignty claims over the strategically important archipelago amid escalating tensions in the disputed waters.

The statement came after reports earlier in the week documented fresh Chinese construction on an islet within the chain. Vietnam has long contested China's presence and activities in the area, viewing them as violations of international law and infringements on its territorial rights.

The Paracel Islands, located in the northern reaches of the South China Sea, remain one of Asia's most contentious territorial flashpoints. Multiple claimants, including Vietnam, China and others in the region, maintain overlapping claims to the resource-rich waters.

Vietnam has consistently called for restraint from all parties and adherence to international maritime law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Hanoi has previously protested similar construction and military activities by Beijing in the region, warning that such moves risk destabilising the area and complicating efforts to establish a binding Code of Conduct among regional powers.