Hanoi, RP against China's claim

Hanoi, RP against China's claim

HANOI (Agencies): Vietnam turned up the volume yesterday over its claim to sovereignty of two disputed island chains in the South China Sea.

Official media quoted a foreign ministry statement that said China's claims to the Paracel and Spratly islands -- seen as potentially oil-rich -- were a blatant violation of international laws.

China announced this week it was expanding the area of sea under its jurisdiction by more than 2.5 million square kilometers, and said the move ensured it abided by a UN maritime convention on laws of the sea.

The Philippines yesterday also expressed grave concern over China's announcement of a seven-fold increase in its maritime territory to include the disputed Paracel islands, which Manila said threatens stability.

Manila however welcomed Beijing's ratification of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.