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President: Vietnam protects national sovereignty with measures
  • By Tung Nguyen | dtinews.vn | October 19, 2012 03:52 PM

President Truong Tan Sang told voters in a meeting in HCM City on October 18 that the country would do as much as possible to protect its sovereignty.

 

President Sang emphasises measure in dealing with sovereignty issues

During the meeting voters questioned the president on several issues, especially with issues regarding to sea and islands sovereignty.

One citizen, Tran Tam, said, “Recent news about the East Sea seems to indicate that China has taken a more aggressive stance on ownership of the Paracels and Sparatly islands. At the same time, we seem to have relied on diplomacy. Is this the best way to deal with the situation?"

Vo Thanh Thao was in agreement, saying that China is trying to interfere in Vietnam's domestic economy through tricks, such as the 'blue dragon' case in Tien Giang, sweet potatoes in Vinh Long and Tra Vinh, the crab trade in Ca Ma and coconuts in Ben Tre.

A large amount of people suggested that the Government take harder action and more aggressively pursue diplomatic means to protect the nation's sovereignty of sea and islands.

Sang responded such concerns by saying, “The Government is determined to protect our independence and rights over these areas. This is something that will not change."

He added that, "Both the Party and State trust the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deal with these affairs. And, In addition to diplomatic measures, we have been considering a number of other options to assert our sovereignty.

“Even though China has recently conducted oil exploration at nine areas that are in dispute in the East Sea, we have lodged official protests and are committed to protecting our marine economy," he said.

The National Assembly recently passed the Law on the Sea, showing the will of our leaders, he said.

In the end, he urged calmness among the people, saying that hasty action could lead to confrontations that would not be advantageous to the country as a whole and would not achieve success.

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