Vietnam slams China over construction of lighthouses in South China Sea

Hanoi: Vietnam Wednesday slammed China over its construction of two lighthouses in the disputed South China Sea, saying the move violates Vietnam's sovereignty and escalates tensions.

Chinese state media reported last week that a completion ceremony was held for the lighthouses on Cuateron Reef and Johnson South Reef in the Spratly islands.

The state-run Vietnam News Agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh as saying the construction "seriously violates Vietnam's sovereignty ... Complicates the situation and escalates tensions."

He said Vietnam has protested China's actions.

Xinhua says the lighthouses will help improve navigation in the area.

China has launched a massive land reclamation project on reefs in the South China Sea over the last 18 months, raising concerns in the region and in the United States.