China on Friday asked Vietnam to stop construction work on a disputed reef in the resource-rich South China Sea, reaffirming its “indisputable sovereignty”, days after satellite images showed Hanoi carrying out dredging work in the contested waterway.
“China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha (Spratly) Islands, Riji reef and relevant waters,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman lu Kang told media here reacting to reports of Vietnam carrying dredging work there.
“We urge the relevant country to respect our sovereignty and our relevant rights and stop construction activities and refrain from complicating the situation and work with China to safeguard and peace stability in the South China Sea,” he said.
latest images by US-based satellite firm Planet labs showed several Vietnamese vessels carrying out dredging activities which analysts said is a precursor to bigger constructions activity.
Reports earlier this year said Vietnam had fortified several islands under its control with mobile rocket artillery launchers capable of striking China’s holdings across the areas under its control.