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In a fresh show of its resolve in a dispute over the South China Sea, China sharply criticized Vietnam on Thursday for passing a law that claims sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly Islands, saying they are the ‘‘indisputable’’ territory of China.

 

The Foreign Ministry in Beijing summoned the Vietnamese ambassador, Nguyen Van Tho, to strongly protest the new law, a spokesman, Hong Lei, said.

 

‘‘Vietnam’s Maritime Law, declaring sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Paracel and Spratly Islands, is a serious violation of China’s territorial sovereignty,’’ a ministry statement said. ‘‘China expresses its resolute and vehement opposition.’’