China's Foreign Ministry has refuted Vietnamese comments on the sovereignty of the Xisha Islands, vowing to safeguard territorial integrity.
Earlier, Vietnamese authorities claimed the islands as part of Vietnam.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Qin Gang, says the claim is false.
"Before the 1970s, Vietnam acknowledged and respected China's sovereignty over the islands. In 1956, the head of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry made it clear that Xisha Islands are Chinese territory. For a long period of time, in its official documents, maps and textbooks, the country admitted the Xisha Islands are part of China. "
In 1958, China set its sea boundary at 12 nautical miles, a limit that includes the Xisha Islands.
The Vietnamese Prime Minister of the day said the Vietnamese government respected China's statement.
However, Qin says after 1975 Vietnam breached its previous commitments and claimed sovereignty of the islands.
The spokesperson says the Chinese government is determined to safeguard China's sovereignty.
Meanwhile, in terms of the violence against foreigners in Vietnam which left two Chinese dead, Qin Gang has urged Vietnam to severely punish the perpetrators.
"We have noticed that two people were sentenced in Vietnam, but we do not think the punishment is enough. We are urging Vietnam to conduct a thorough investigation into the riots, severely punish the criminals based on the law, while compensating affected people and companies for their losses."
At least 2 Chinese were killed and over 100 other Chinese nationals were injured in the violence broke out two weeks ago.
