Chinnese, Vietnamese FMs hold phone talks on East Sea
Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held a phone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on May 15.
FM Minh affirmed Vietnam's strong objection to China's recent actions and requested the latter to immediately remove the Haiyang-Shiyou 981 oil rig and its escorts from Vietnam's territorial waters.
He emphasized that China's move had seriously and negatively affected the trust between the two countries and the friendship between the two peoples, adding that China's actions went against agreements between the leaders of both countries, fundamental principles on resolving maritime issues and international law.
Minh reiterated that Vietnam had acted with utmost restraint, adding that the recent riots in Vietnam, which had caused damage to foreign enterprises, were violations committed by particular individuals.
He said the Vietnamese Government had since carried out measures to stabilize the situation and impose appropriate punishments for the violations.
He assured that Vietnam would do everything in its power to protect the safety of foreign investors and their businesses, while asking that the two foreign ministries maintain close contact to deal with relevant issues in a timely fashion.