Party leader re-affirms indisputable sovereignty over archipelagos

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, Ha Noi, June 18, 2014 - Photo: VGP

The Party leader stressed that China’s placement of the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf since early May has adversely impacted on the Viet Nam-China relations as well as the regional situation.

Party General Secretary Trong demanded quick talks to work out measures to stabilize the situation soon, creating a premise for basic and long-term settlement of sea-related issues on the basis of the two countries’ high-level agreements and international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Viet Nam always attaches importance to the friendship and cooperation with China and expects the bilateral ties develop healthily for the benefits of the two countries, the Party chief said.

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi said the Chinese Party and Government also attach importance to long-term stable development of relations with Viet Nam.

He went on to say that China hopes that both sides would continue talks to reduce tension and resolve the sea-related issues while maintaining bilateral cooperation in various areas and a healthy and stable Viet Nam-China relations./.

By Quang Minh