Vietnam strongly demands China stop violating territorial sovereignty   Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Le Hai Binh. Tuoi Tre Vietnam has resolutely protested China’s violations of its territorial sovereignty and demanded that the country stop repeating similar activities. The statement was made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Le Hai Binh during a regular press meeting on Thursday afternoon, in response to a recent visit by a top Chinese military official to Da Chu Thap (Fiery Cross Reef), part of Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago. Fan Changlong, one of the vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission which controls China's military, went to see soldiers based on the reef and inspect building construction, Reuters quoted China’s Defense Ministry as saying on April 15. The Southeast Asian country also opposes China’s intention to plan a media trip to Phu Lam (Woody) Island, belonging to the former’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, as well as its announcement to open a civil aviation route from Hainan Province to the island. Hanoi also sent a diplomatic note to the Embassy of China on Wednesday, objecting to Beijing landing a military aircraft on a runway it unlawfully built on Da Chu Thap, according to the Vietnamese diplomat. The Southeast Asian nation consistently affirms its indisputable authority over Truong Sa and Hoang Sa, Binh said. He asserted that China’s actions were unprecedented developments which have escalated the intensity of the situation in the East Vietnam Sea, adding that all foreign activities done without Vietnam’s consent are considered illegal. Hanoi ordered Beijing to immediately cease all violations of the former’s territorial sovereignty and refrain from repeating such acts. Regarding the United States’ intention to carry out joint naval patrols with the Philippines in the East Vietnam Sea, Spokesperson Binh emphasized that maintaining peace and stability, and the safety of navigation and aviation in the waterway, is the interest and responsibility of all relevant parties and the international community as a whole. During the conference, Spokesperson Binh also updated the press on the well-being of Vietnamese citizens living in Japanese localities affected by recent earthquakes. The Vietnamese people there have found shelter in locals’ residences, with physical and mental conditions stabilized, Binh continued, adding that the Japanese government was willing to support foreign citizens in the impacted areas. The Embassy of Vietnam in Japan and the Vietnamese Consulate in Fukuoka will continue to coordinate with local authorities to provide assistance for Vietnamese citizens in need, according to the diplomat. TUOI TRE NEWS