Vietnam's protest against the firing practice of the Chinese navy at the South China Sea is totally unreasonable, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao said Tuesday.
The Chinese navy recently carried out a regular combat practice at the Chinese side of the South China Sea, and before that China's local maritime affairs department concerned had issued a navigation warning to ensure the safety of nearby ships.
The way China handled the issue was fully complied with international laws, international practice and relevant Chinese laws, Liu said.
Vietnam said this had infringed upon its sovereignty.
(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2002)