He said that in pursuit of an unswerving foreign policy, the Party, State, Government and people of Vietnam always bear in mind and show gratitude for the support and great assistance of China, and always attach great importance to nurturing and developing comprehensive cooperative relations for mutual benefit and mutual development between Vietnam and China.
During the visit to Vietnam by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang last year, both sides reached a number of specific agreements to increase their cooperation, including the establishment of three working groups on cooperation in infrastructure, finance-monetary and discussion on cooperation for mutual development at sea in the framework of the Governmental Negotiation Team on Vietnam-China Boundary and Territory.
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| PM Nguyen Tan Dung (R)and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi. |
They agreed that during the search for a basic and long-term solution to sea-related issues, the two sides will work together to keep control of the situation and not cause any move that could expand disputes, rapidly resolve any arising problems to prevent them from adversely affecting the development and cooperation between the two countries, Dung said.
In regard to the Chinese stationing of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 deep inside Vietnam’s waters, the Vietnamese government leader reiterated Vietnam’s consistent stance as stated during bilateral meetings at different levels over the past years and at the talks on June 18 between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Chinese State Councllor Yang Jiechi.
China’s act seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty and the agreements reached between senior leaders as well as international law, the 1982 United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on the East Sea (DOC).
China’s wrongdoings are also threatening peace and stability, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the region, while sparking indignation and hurting the sentiment of the Vietnamese people, and negatively impacting the cooperation between the two Parties and countries, PM Dung noted.
He also requested China to withdraw its drilling platform and ships from Vietnam’s waters and sit for negotiations on the peaceful settlement of disputes and differences between the two countries in line with international law and the common perception of the two countries’ leaders.
The two sides should control the situation to prevent conflicts while maintaining contacts and talks to settle the current disputes, Dung said, adding that Vietnam will resolutely struggle to defend its sovereignty by peaceful means in accordance with international law.
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Concerning the Chinese State Councillor’s opinion on the security and safety of Chinese businesses and citizens, PM Dung said a section of people in some localities capitalized on demonstrations against China’s illegal placement of its oil rig in Vietnam’s waters to break the law, causing damage to some foreign-invested firms including Chinese-invested businesses.
The incidences are regrettable and undesirable and the Vietnamese Government has promptly put an end to the violations to stabilise the situation, and duly punished law breakers.
Measures to support the affected businesses have been taken and all affected businesses have resumed normal production and business activities, he said.
PM Dung called on both sides to maintain existing cooperation mechanisms and hold the 7th session of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation soon to discuss measures to forge bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, investment and tourism.
State Councillor Yang Jiechi briefed PM Dung on the outcomes of his talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh while affirming that the Party, Government and people of China treasure and have never changed the motto of friendship in its relations with Vietnam.
About the East Sea dispute, Yang Jiechi reiterated his nation’s stance on the issue and agreed that the two sides should continue to maintain bilateral contact channels to resolve the current tensions and enhance the existing areas of bilateral cooperation.
