Vietnam has formally protested recent territorial claims made by both China and the Philippines over Second Thomas Shoal, part of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, according to a statement by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
The protest came after China’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its sovereignty over the shoal, which lies within the area Hanoi considers part of its exclusive economic zone. Vietnam also objected to the Philippines’ stance, which positions the reef within its own territory, and to recent moves by Manila to reinforce its outpost on the shoal.
“Vietnam resolutely opposes and rejects all claims inconsistent with international law,” the ministry said, referencing the 2016 Hague tribunal ruling, which invalidated much of China’s expansive claims in the sea — a ruling that China continues to ignore.
Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ayungin Shoal (Philippines), Ren’ai Jiao (China), and Bãi Cỏ Mây (Vietnam), has become a flashpoint amid rising regional tensions. Both Chinese and Philippine vessels have had dangerous encounters near the reef in recent months, while Vietnam continues to assert its own claims diplomatically.
The South China Sea is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and holds strategic and economic significance for many countries — including European and Nordic nations engaged in Indo-Pacific trade. While not directly involved in the disputes, these countries have previously voiced support for freedom of navigation and adherence to international law in the region.
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