China on Tuesday made solemn representations with Vietnam for its attempts to challenge China's sovereignty, rights and interests in South China Sea.
Geng Shuang, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, confirmed that China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations on Friday sent a diplomatic note to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to restate China's stand on the issue, at a regular press briefing.
The move came after Vietnam sent multiple diplomatic notes starting late March to the UN Secretary-General, making "illegal claims" accusing China infringed its "sovereignty and jurisdiction rights" over South China Sea.
On Sunday, Vietnam also protested against China's establishment of two districts, Xisha District and Nansha District, in Sansha City, southernmost China's Hainan Province, in the name of the sovereignty concerns.
The spokesperson said that Vietnam's claims are "wrongful," stressing that the two districts are China's inherent territories in historical and legal terms.
Geng further underlined that China claims sovereignty and jurisdiction rights in certain parts of South China Sea in accordance with international laws that include UN Convention of the Law on the Sea.
"Efforts by any country trying to violate China's sovereignty and interests in South China Sea and advancing illegal claims will go in vein," the spokesperson said, adding "China will take any necessary measures to defend its sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea."
