At the Meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh reiterated that the Party, State, Government and people of Viet Nam always attach great importance to the preservation and enhancement of the friendly neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation with China. During the past years, thanks to the both sides’ efforts, the comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and China has seen extensive developments. Nevertheless, given the fine developments of bilateral relations, China’s deployment of oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 deep within the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Viet Nam has violated international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), threatened maritime security and safety, peace and stability in the region, hurt the sentiments of the Vietnamese people and adversely affected the cooperation between the two countries. Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh strongly reaffirmed Viet Nam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa archipelago, Viet Nam’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as prescribed in the 1982 UNCLOS to which both Viet Nam and China are the signatories. Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh demanded China withdraw its drilling rig and vessels from the Vietnamese waters, control the situation, refrain from any acts that cause conflicts, conduct  negotiations to address current tension as well as other differences between the two countries on the basis of international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.

 Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi reaffirmed that the Party, Government and people of China hold in high regard the development of friendly relations with Viet Nam; agreed that both sides should seek to soon stabilize the situation at sea, refrain from any acts that may trigger conflicts, affect the bilateral relations, and work together to promote more substantive, extensive and in-depth bilateral cooperation in all aspects; concurrently reiterated China’s position regarding the East Sea.

 Both sides agreed to maintain the cooperation and exchange mechanisms between Ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries, continue to effectively realize the Action Plan for the implementation of Viet Nam - China comprehensive strategic partnership, and convene the 7^th Session of Viet Nam – China Steering Committee for Bilateral Relations./.