Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Vietnam Demands Halt to Reported Chinese Paracel Construction
Vietnam and China disagree about who owns the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.
China has controlled the islands since 1974, but Vietnam says the islands belong to Vietnam.
A report said new installations were seen on Yagong Island.
Vietnam calls the island Ba Ba Island.
Security analysts said the structures might become an early-warning radar facility.
Vietnam said foreign activities there without its permission are illegal.
It demanded that the activities stop immediately and not happen again.
China did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Vietnam strongly opposed reported foreign activities in the disputed Paracel Islands.
The statement followed a Reuters report of new installations on Yagong Island, called Ba Ba Island by Vietnam.
Security analysts said the construction could be the start of an early-warning radar facility.
Vietnam demanded an immediate halt to the activities and said they must not be repeated.
China has controlled the Paracel Islands since 1974, while Vietnam continues to claim sovereignty over them.
- Who
- Vietnam and China are involved in the dispute; Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang issued the statement.
- What
- Vietnam opposed reported Chinese construction and other foreign activities in the Paracel Islands.
- When
- Vietnam issued the statement on Friday, Aug. 28, after a report earlier that week.
- Where
- The reported installations were on Yagong Island, called Ba Ba Island by Vietnam, in the Paracel Islands of the South China Sea.
- Why
- Vietnam says it has historical evidence and legal grounds supporting its sovereignty and considers unauthorized foreign activities there illegal.
Vietnam’s position
China’s control and reported activities
Sovereignty
Vietnam’s position
Vietnam says it has sufficient historical evidence and legal grounds to assert sovereignty over the entire Paracel Islands in accordance with international law.
China’s control and reported activities
China has controlled the Paracel Islands since 1974; the reports said China did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Activities in the islands
Vietnam’s position
Vietnam says foreign activities conducted without its permission, including at Ba Ba Island and Hai Sam Reef, are illegal and null and void.
China’s control and reported activities
Satellite imagery reportedly showed new installations on Yagong Island, which analysts said could be linked to an early-warning radar facility; no Chinese explanation was provided in the articles.
Regional claims
Vietnam’s position
Vietnam also claims the Spratly Islands and nearby waters, alongside other regional claimants.
China’s control and reported activities
The Spratlys and surrounding waters are claimed fully or partly by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei, reflecting broader regional disputes.
- Disputed area
- The Paracel Islands in the South China Sea
- Reported location
- Yagong Island, known as Ba Ba Island in Vietnam
- Reported activity
- New installations were sighted in satellite imagery
- Possible purpose
- Security analysts said the installations could be the start of an early-warning radar facility
- Vietnam’s demand
- An immediate halt to the activities and no repetition
- China’s control
- China has controlled the Paracel Islands since 1974
- Additional locations cited
- Hai Sam Reef, Vietnam’s name for Antelope Reef
