Vietnam protests Taiwanese president's visit to disputed Spratlys islands

The Spratlys consist of about 100 barren islets, reefs and atolls dotting the world's busiest shipping lanes in the South China Sea. Vietnam, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei each claim all or part of the low-lying islands, believed to be rich in oil, gas and fish stocks.

Chen Shui-bian inaugurated a runway Saturday in the first-ever visit by a Taiwanese president to Taiping island - 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) south of Taiwan - in the Spratlys chain. He also met with troops there during a brief visit Saturday.

"This is an extremely serious act of escalation, violating Vietnam's territorial sovereignty over the Spratlys, causing tension and further complicating the situation in the region," the Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung as saying.

"Taiwan must bear all the consequences caused by their action," he said.

Chen's visit also drew a sharp rebuke from Manila.

"The Philippines expresses serious concern over this reported development that works against the joint efforts by claimant countries in the South China Sea to achieve peace and stability in the region," Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said in a statement.

Taiping's only inhabitants are several dozen Taiwanese troops stationed there. Taiwan forces have built medical facilities on the island for soldiers and passing sailors, and have installed weather and environmental surveillance equipment.

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