On April 9, 2017, MOFA Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang made the following remarks in response to questions from the media concerning reports that the Philippines made statement of its intension to consolidate and expand  its presence in islands in Truong Sa (Spartly) Archipelago of Viet Nam:

"Viet Nam has been following with great attention and verifying this information. It has been stated in many occasions that Viet Nam has sufficient legal grounds and historical evidences to affirm its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spartly) Archipelagos and that actions by other countries in these two archipelagos without Viet Nam’s permission will be illegal and null and void.

Our position on the East Sea issues is consistent that all disputes must be resolved by peaceful means and in accordance with international law. While working for  fundamental and long-term solutions to the disputes, all parties concerned must exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could complicate or expand disputes  as stated in accordance with the spirit and text of the 2002 Declaration of conducts by parties in the South China Sea (DOC)".