Oil rig belongs to Xisha

China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that the operation area of a Chinese oil drilling rig completely falls within the Xisha Islands, which is Chinese territory.

"The Marine Safety Administration issued a navigational warning Saturday regarding the operation of Hai Yang Shi You 981. The operation is located in the waters of China's Xisha Islands," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily briefing.

Vietnam's foreign ministry on Monday demanded China stop the operation, saying it is "undeniably within Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf."

The oil drilling rig belonging to China National Offshore Oil Corporation will operate until August 15.