Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on August 8 met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings in Myanmar’s capital Nay Pyi Taw.

Deputy PM Minh said at the meeting that Vietnam values the neighbourliness and comprehensive strategic partnership with China. However, he noted, the relations have recently been affected by the tension at sea due to China’s illegal placement of its oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf which violated Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction.

Minh reiterated Vietnam’s stance and principle on sea-related issues, saying the two sides need to join hands in order to maintain peace and stability at sea and manage disputes in an appropriate manner, and should not take any actions to complicate the situation.

He affirmed that the most important thing now is to prevent similar incident and properly settle disputes through peaceful measures in the East Sea on the basis of international law, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as common perspectives between the two countries, including the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea issues.

The recent East Sea tension clearly proves the significance of strict implementation of the DOC and the soon building of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), he said, urging China to positively speed up negotiations for the COC.

With its most constructive spirit, Vietnam will do its utmost to strengthen the mutual understanding and cooperation between the ASEAN and China for the sake of peace, stability and prosperity in the region, he stressed.

Deputy PM Minh once again expressed sympathy to China over the recent deadly earthquake in Yunnan province.

For his part, Wang thanked the Vietnamese Government for sending condolence to Yunnan earthquake victims, showing the friendship between the two countries.

He said the two neighbouring countries of Vietnam and China should foster cooperation and appropriately deal with difficulties facing bilateral ties, including the East Sea issue.

VNA/VNN