At the meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung reaffirmed that, proceeding from their consistent policy, Vietnamese Party, Government and people always remember and are grateful for China’s enormous support and assistance, and attach importance to maintaining, promoting and developing the comprehensive, equal and mutually beneficial cooperation for development between Viet Nam and China. Particularly, during the visit to Viet Nam by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in late 2013, many concrete agreements were reached to promote bilateral relations. Both countries also agreed to establish three working groups on cooperation in infrastructure, finance and currency, and on discussing maritime cooperation for joint development within the framework of the Governmental Negotiation Delegations on Viet Nam – China Border and Territorial Issues. High-level leaders of the two countries also agreed, while seeking a long-term and fundamental solution for disputes and differences at sea, two sides should work together to control the situation, refrain from any acts that may deepen disputes, and promptly and satisfactorily address any arising issues without adversely affecting the development of bilateral cooperation.  

Regarding China’s deployment of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 deep inside the Vietnamese waters, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung reiterated Viet Nam’s position consistently reflected in recent exchanges at various levels between the two sides and at the talks between Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and State Councilor Yang Jiechi this morning. China’s actions seriously violated Viet Nam’s sovereignty, the agreements between the two countries’ leaders, international laws and the 1982 UNCLOS, DOC, threatening peace and stability as well as maritime and aviation security and safety in the region, causing discontent and hurting the feelings of the Vietnamese people and negatively affecting the cooperation between the two parties and states. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung demanded China withdraw its oil rig and vessels from Vietnamese waters and conduct negotiations to settle disputes  and disagreements between the two nations by peaceful means in accordance with international laws and the common understanding between leaders of the two countries. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung requested both sides to control the situation, refrain from any acts that cause conflicts, maintain exchanges and negotiations to settle current disputes and disagreements. Viet Nam is strongly resolved to struggle and defend its sovereignty by peaceful means in accordance with international laws.

Regarding State Councilor Yang Jiechi’s concerns over the security and safety of Chinese businesses and citizens, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung pointed out that recently in some Vietnamese provinces, a number of people have taken the advantage of demonstrations against China’s illegal deployment of its oil rig in Vietnamese waters to carry out acts that violated laws and caused damages to some foreign-invested businesses, including Chinese companies. Prime Minister stressed that this was an unexpected incident and the Vietnamese Government had taken strong measures to settle the incidents, quickly put the situation under control, strictly punish those who violated the law, and provide timely support and assistance. All businesses have resumed their operation as normal. 

Based on the common interest of the two countries, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung proposed that two sides maintain existing cooperation mechanisms in all fields, and convene the 7^th meeting of the Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation at an early date to discuss specific measures to further develop bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic, trade, investment and tourism areas.

At the meeting, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi informed Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung of the outcomes of the talks with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh. He emphasized that the Party, Government and people of China attach importance to and have never changed their consistent policy of promoting the friendship with Viet Nam. Regarding the disputes at sea, Mr Yang reiterated China’s position and agreed that two sides would maintain bilateral dialogues and exchanges to deescalate the current tension and promote cooperation in existing areas between the two countries.