Beijing: China on Monday stated its firm opposition to Vietnam's construction activities near the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. "China firmly opposes relevant countries' construction activities on islands and reefs they have illegally occupied," remarked Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a news conference.

According to Anadolu Agency, Guo's comments were in response to a recent report by the US think tank CSIS, which indicated that Hanoi had created "about 70% as much artificial land in the Spratlys as China had." Guo emphasized China's stance, stating, "We will take what is necessary to safeguard our own territory, sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

There has been no immediate reaction from Hanoi regarding China's statements. China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, although parts of the area are also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.