Vietnam has lodged diplomatic protests with China and the Philippines regarding activities in the contested South China Sea waters [3, 11, 12]. The protests, issued in early May 2025, urge both nations to respect Vietnam's territorial claims [3, 11].
The statement addresses activities by China and the Philippines in Sandy Cay, which Vietnam considers part of its territory [3, 4]. Vietnam's foreign ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang issued the statement on Saturday, May 3, 2025 [3, 11, 12, 14].
Vietnam requests that relevant parties respect Vietnam's sovereignty, comply with international law, and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea (Vietnam's name for the South China Sea) [3, 11, 15]. The country has communicated and sent diplomatic notes protesting activities that violate Vietnam's sovereignty over Sandy Cay and related entities of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago [3, 11, 14].
Recent reports indicate escalating tensions in the area, with both China and the Philippines asserting their claims [4, 6, 10]. China's coast guard was reported to have landed on Sandy Cay as part of maritime control operations [3]. The Philippines also sent a team to the sandbars [3].
These actions have prompted concerns and calls for restraint from Vietnam and other nations [6, 9, 15]. The situation remains a sensitive issue in the region, requiring careful diplomatic efforts to avoid further escalation [8, 16, 18].
This article is based on our author's analysis of materials taken from the following resources: www.cna.com, www.businesstoday.com.my and vietnamnews.vn.