Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung recently presided over an online meeting with 63 localities nationwide to discuss solutions to the East Sea issues.

The government’s online meeting with 63 cities and provinces nationwide

The government’s regular meeting for June is also aimed at reviewing the national socioeconomic situation in the first half of this year and strategies for the second half.

“This meeting is being held amid tensions over China's oil rig placed within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone in the East Sea, in disregard of the legal framework and traditional friendship between the two countries. Chinese actions have infringed on Vietnam’s sovereignty, negatively affected the bilateral friendship and threatened regional peace, stability and security,” said PM Dung.

The PM called on government members, leaders from localities and participants to make greater efforts to work out solutions that are in line with international law to protect the country’s sovereignty while still maintaining peace and stability.

Despite the turmoil, Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh said that the country showed economic progress in the first six months of the year.

According to Vinh, the country’s GDP is estimated to have grown 5.18%; the rate of the second quarter being much higher than the first quarter.

The country also recorded the lowest increase in the consumer price index (CPI) in 13 years during the six-month period, up only 1.38% compared to last December and up 4.98% compared to the same period last year.