Regular Press Briefing by MOFA’s Spokesperson Le Hai Binh On May 15, 2014
Press Conference
(Ha Noi, May 15, 2014)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to attend World Economic Forum on East Asia and pay working visit to the Philippines (21-22 May, 2014)
At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Benigno Aquino, President of the Republic of Philippines and Mr. Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will attend the 2014 World Economic Forum on East Asia (WEF East Asia 2014) and pay a working visit to the Philippines from 21 to 22 May 2014.
Under the theme of “Leveraging Growth for Equitable Progress,” the annual WEF East Asia 2014 will focus its discussion on growth for equitable progress, advancing models for sustainable growth, and realizing regional connectivity. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung is expected to attend and deliver his remarks at the Opening Plenary Session.
Within the framework of the working visit to the Philippines, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will hold talks with the President of the Philippines, pay courtesy calls to high-level leaders of the Philippines, lay a wreath before the Statue of President Ho Chi Minh in the ASEAN Park in Manila.
2. Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan to attend 4th Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) (20-22 May, 2014)
At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan will attend the 4th Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Shanghai, China from 20 to 22 May 2014.
CICA is an open forum established in 1992 at the initiative of Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev to strengthen cooperation among member countries on significant issues in Asia. The conference is held every four years, this time under the theme of “Increasing dialogue, mutual trust and collaboration to build a new Asia that is peaceful, stable and cooperative.”
The Vietnamese delegation attends the 4th CICA to demonstrate Viet Nam’s responsibility and goodwill in regional and international issues of common interest, promote the image of a dynamic Viet Nam and contribute to strengthening cooperation with other CICA member countries. As scheduled, Vice State President will give her remarks at the Conference.
3. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam to attend 20th International Conference on Future of Asia (23-24 May, 2014)
At the invitation of the President and CEO of Nikkei Inc, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam will attend the 20th International Conference on the Future of Asia organized by Nikkei in Tokyo, Japan from 22 to 23 May 2014.
The conference is among the prestigious annual forums in Asia attended by high-level leaders and politicians from Asian countries and representatives from large international corporations. Its agenda covers important issues related to the development of Asian countries.
The Vietnamese delegation attends the conference with a view to discussing with regional leaders the measures to respond to existing challenges for Asia’s development, promoting the extensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Japan, consulting other countries’ policies and experience in the national development process and response to development challenges.
4. President of Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to pay State visit to Viet Nam (18-20 May, 2014)
At the invitation of President Truong Tan Sang, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will pay a State visit to Viet Nam from 18 to 20 May 2014.
The State visit by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan presents an opportunity for leaders from both sides to exchange on measures for further strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation, particularly in economy, trade, investment, tourism and collaboration at international forums.
5. Updates on the Chinese Oil Rig Hai Yang Shi You 981
On 1 May 2014, China brazenly moved its deep-sea oil rig Hai Yang Shi You-981 escorted by many armed vessels, and military vessels and aircrafts into the Vietnamese waters, and illegally placed the rig within Viet Nam’s continental shelf and EEZ defined under the UNCLOS 1982.
Viet Nam has been determined in pursuing dialogue and serious contacts with China at various levels and under different forms, strongly opposing the wrongdoings of China. In response to the goodwill of Viet Nam, China continued and expanded its illegal activities, and deployed more planes and vessels to the area. According to Vietnamese relevant authorities, China to date still maintains the presence of military vessels and vessels of its coast guard, maritime surveillance, maritime patrol and fishery administration, fishing vessels with iron hulls, and services vessels together with several aircrafts around the location of the Hai Yang Shi You 981. Despite the utmost restraint by the Vietnamese law enforcement and civilian ships, China continues to act aggressively as its planes and vessels try to intimidate Vietnamese law enforcement ship by firing high-power water cannon, causing physical damages to many Vietnamese ships and wounded Vietnamese crewmembers on board.
On 11 May, in another resort to resolute means of diplomacy, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung delivered a key address at the 24th ASEAN Summit, stressing that the incident constituted a direct threat to peace, stability, maritime safety and security in the East Sea. Various official documents of the ASEAN Summit also highlight the East Sea issue. Prior to the Summit, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers have, for the first time since 1995, issued a separate statement on the developments in the East Sea, which clearly displays the solidarity, centrality, and the high sense of responsibility and pro-activeness of ASEAN as well as the deep concern of the Association over the peace, stability and security of the region.
Viet Nam strongly opposes China’s illegal placement of the oil rig deep inside the continental shelf and EEZ of Viet Nam, violating the sovereignty as well as sovereign and jurisdictional rights of Viet Nam. This activity also seriously breaches the international law, especially the UNCLOS 1982 and the spirit and wording of the DOC. While countries within and outside the region are working hard to seek peaceful settlement to the dispute and promote substantive and active consultation to soon achieve the COC, the acts of China have complicated the situation and seriously affected the peace, stability, maritime safety, security, and freedom of navigation as well as cooperation and development in the region. Viet Nam insists on demanding China to withdraw its Hai Yang Shi You 981 oil rig and all of its escort planes and vessels from the Vietnamese waters, and not to repeat similar acts in the future.
Viet Nam takes this opportunity to express the sincere gratitude to countries, individuals, and international organizations for voicing against China’s serious violation and supporting the legitimate demand of Viet Nam. Our profound thanks also go to the Vietnamese and foreign press for having reported the incident in an honest and impartial manner, thus identifying the wrongdoings of China.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh answered several questions from Vietnamese and foreign media:
1. What measures have Viet Nam undertaken to oppose China’s wrongdoings?
“Viet Nam has been determined in pursuing dialogue and serious contacts with China at various levels and under different forms, strongly opposing the wrongdoings of China and putting great efforts in settling differences between the two countries.
Viet Nam has a consistent determination in defending its sovereignty and insists on demanding China to withdraw its oil rig as well as its vessels and planes from the Vietnamese waters. Viet Nam has acted with utmost restraint as it opposes the threat or use of force.”
2. How does the deployment of Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig affect the cooperation between Viet Nam and China in the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership?
“I reaffirm that Viet Nam respects the friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with China. I also believe that the bilateral relations could only progress on the basis of respect for legitimate rights and interests of one another and goodwill in resolving differences together. The acts of China have clearly affected political trust, bilateral cooperation, and the sentiment of the Vietnamese people. Still, Viet Nam is trying to maintain the normal cooperative activities in the interest of the two peoples.”
3. Has Viet Nam informed the UN Secretary General and planned to bring the issue to the UN institutions?
“Resolving disputes in the East Sea for peace and stability in the region is in the interest of all countries in the region and beyond. In the context of joint efforts by countries to seek peaceful means to settle disputes, including the promotion of active consultation towards a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), the incident has complicated the situation and seriously affected peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.
Under these circumstances, under the policy of resorting to all measures in accordance with international law to protect its legitimate rights and interests, on 7 May 2014, Viet Nam circulated at the United Nations a note to oppose China’s illegal deployment of its oil rig in Viet Nam's waters.”
4. What is Viet Nam’s position on the protest rallies by Vietnamese overseas against China’s wrongdoings?
“The Vietnamese people, whether living in Viet Nam or abroad, have a dedicated patriotism and concern on sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. In the past few days, the community of Vietnamese overseas has shown their patriotism and determination to defend national sovereignty. The Party, State, and people in Viet Nam appreciate and are moved by the patriotism and solidarity of the community of Vietnamese overseas towards the Fatherland.”
5. What is Viet Nam’s position on acts of sabotage by some individuals in Binh Duong Province and what measures does it take to protect foreign businesses in Viet Nam?
“I confirm that some individuals took advantage of the peaceful rally to provoke disorders. The Vietnamese relevant authorities have taken swift measures to strictly deal with those who violated the law. We will apply all measures necessary and do our utmost to ensure safety of lives and property, and to protect legitimate rights and interests of businesses in Binh Duong Province as well as all over Viet Nam.”
6. What is the casualty of the incident in Ha Tinh Province?
“According to the relevant authorities of Ha Tinh Province, it was a fight erupted between two groups of workers causing one dead and some injured. The provincial authorities are promptly verifying this case, arresting those who provoked disorders and taking the injured people to hospital.”
7. At the press conference, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh also provided information on the 18th session of the Viet Nam – US Human Rights Dialogue (11 - 12 May, 2014):
“The 18th session of the Viet Nam - US Human Rights Dialogue took place from 11 to 12 May, 2014 in Washington DC, USA. During this session, the two sides exchanged information on issues of common concern, including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, rights of labors, rights of the disabled, the law-governed state, and the promotion of multilateral cooperation on human rights. Viet Nam provided comprehensive information about the efforts, policies and achievements in ensuring human rights in Viet Nam and frankly exchanged view on the United States’ concerns. Viet Nam reaffirmed its willingness to exchange and cooperate in multilateral mechanisms on human rights, including the Human Rights Council of which both Viet Nam and the United States are members.
The Viet Nam - US Human Rights Dialogue is a constructive, friendly and mutual respecting mechanism, aiming to increase understanding, to narrow differences in the field of human rights, thus contributing to the comprehensive partnership between Viet Nam and the United States.”./.
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