In response to question from the media regarding Vietnam's reaction to the December 26th, 2009 passage by the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress of "the Law on Island Protection", Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Nga on December 29th, 2009 stated that:

"Vietnam has in many occasions reiterated its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spartly) archipelagos. All activities conducted by other parties, including promulgation of legal regulations, relating to Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos and the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Vietnam are of no legal value."