Dr. Le Hong Hiep from the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore has said China’s recent acts in the East Sea has made the regional situation more tense and uncertain, thus hindering negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Pham Hai Anh, Vietnam’s representative to the United Nations, on December 10 affirmed Vietnam’s consistent stance that all disputes should be settled via peaceful measures, in line with international law.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and other leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) joined Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the 22nd ASEAN-China Summit in Bangkok on November 3.

Vietnam always treasures the role of the Philippines in ASEAN, and as the respective strategic partner, both countries should step up all-faceted relations, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said.

 The most important thing to early achieve a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) is that ASEAN and China need to ensure the full and proper implementation of terms stipulated in the COC, ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh said.