Hanoi, Vietnam, Jan. 9 -- Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang

Pham made the statement on January 9 in response to a reporter's request for comment on China's inauguration of a shopping mall on Phu Lam Island, part of Viet Nam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.

The Spokesperson said that Viet Nam possesses sufficient historical evidence and legal grounds to affirm its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands in accordance with international law./.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from South East Asian News....