China rejects Vietnam's 'unwarranted accusations' over construction in disputed Paracel Islands

China on Thursday rejected what it called "unwarranted accusations" from Vietnam after Hanoi protested Beijing's construction activities at Antelope Reef in the disputed Paracel Islands, saying the work falls within its "sovereign rights."

"Xisha Qundao is China's territory without any dispute," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a news conference.

Vietnam last week protested China's reclamation and construction activities in the disputed islands, saying the work violates its sovereignty and international law.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said Vietnam had repeatedly affirmed its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago—known internationally as the Paracel Islands and referred to by China as the Xisha Islands—as well as the surrounding waters.

"It is within China's sovereign rights to conduct necessary construction on its own territory. There is no room for unwarranted accusations from Vietnam," Guo said Thursday.

The remarks came amid reports of increased Chinese construction activity across the disputed Paracel Islands.

China seized control of the Paracels from South Vietnam in 1974 and has since maintained a military presence there.

Beijing claims sovereignty over the islands and has defended its construction activities as lawful work on Chinese territory, while Vietnam continues to claim the archipelago.