Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi Friday met with Vietnamese Ambassador to China Tran Van Luat and lodged solemn representation with Vietnam over its attempt to open a tourist route to the Nansha islands.

 

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan said Friday that prior to this representation, China has showed concern and expressed opposition over the issue many times.

 

It is reported that Vietnam will open a tourist route to the Nansha islands in mid-April and organize the first tourist activity to Nansha on April 19.

 

Kong said China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha islands and surrounding waters, and Vietnam's move has infringed on China's territorial sovereignty.

 

The spokesman expressed his hopes that Vietnam should abide by the consensus reached between China and Vietnam, and honor its commitment set forth in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea between China and the Association of Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN).

 

Kong said Vietnam should immediately stop taking any act that may lead to further complication of the situation.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2004)