Vietnam has condemned Taiwan’s military drills in the Spratly Islands, a part of which Vietnam is claiming sovereignty over.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the drills in question are carried out on what Vietnam calls Ba Binh Island.

Taiwan currently uses the disputed island, mostly recently conducting search and rescue exercises on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Vietnamese Ministry demanded Taiwan refrain from the military drills, labelling the country’s actions as a serious violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty, as well as a threat to peace, stability and security in the area.

China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts or all of the energy-rich East Sea, in which the Spratly Islands are found.

Trillions of dollars in annual trade pass through the sea.

– TiVi Tuan-san