(VOVworld) – Prime Minister told voters in Hong Bang district, Hai Phong city on Thursday that Vietnam strongly denounced violations and resolutely defended its national sovereignty.

In a meeting with voters prior to the 7^th session of the 13^th National Assembly, Dung clearly expressed his attitude toward China’s move to bring it oil rig about 80 nautical miles within Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone, together with different kinds of vessels, including military ships and escort aircraft. China’s actions seriously violate international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, directly threatening peace, stability, security, and maritime safety in the East Sea. Prime Minister Dung said that the Party and State of Vietnam has exercised great restraint while expressed its goodwill and conducted every possible dialogues and communication channels at different levels with Chinese leaders to solve the issue. Vietnamese maritime enforcement forces including marine police and coast guards have also practiced restraint, voiced their opposition and requested China to withdraw its oil rig and military ships from Vietnam’s waters. However, China slandered Vietnam, blamed on Vietnam, and increased the number of military ships to intimidate, damage assets, and injure the Vietnamese marine enforcement forces.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said that Vietnam sincerely hopes to settle disputes with China through peaceful means on the basis of international law, equality, and mutual respect for the benefits of the people of the two countries, and for peace and stability of the region and world.   

Prime Minister Dung stated that Vietnam strongly opposes any acts of violation and resolutely protects its sovereignty and legitimate rights in line with international law. He affirmed that Vietnam will do its utmost to create favorable conditions for and ensure safety for foreign people, businesses, and agencies in Vietnam in accordance with Vietnam’s law and international commitments.

Also at the meeting, Prime Minister Dung informed voters of the government’s major orientations in economic management focusing on three major strategic breakthroughs, social security, administrative reform, anti-corruption, and national defense.