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.