Vietnamese people showed strong support for Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s speech at ASEAN Summit 24 held on May 11 in Myanmar, affirming Vietnam’s determination for national sovereignty protection.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung at ASEAN Summit 24

After giving a brief of the illegal actions of the Chinese in Vietnamese waters, the PM went on to say, “Vietnam has exercised the utmost restraint, and acted in good will towards the northern neighbour. Vietnam is determined to attempt every avenue for a diplomatic solution. However, the Vietnamese people and government have also shown their strong protest against Chinese incursions in the East Sea, and have asked that the Chinese drilling equipment be immediately removed from Vietnamese territory."

To date, China has failed to respond to Vietnam's diplomatic requests.

“Vietnam spares no effort to preserve and strengthen friendly relations with China. It is always this nation's interest to work with China to settle disputes peacefully, based on the foundation international law, and in the spirit of mutual respect,” he emphasised.

Striking another note in his speech, the PM also asked that ASEAN countries strengthen their solidarity, and strongly the principles set out in the Six-Point Principles on the South China Sea, and demand that China observe international law.

Ngo Tuan Anh, a lecturer at Da Nang University, said, “The PM's speech was frank and reflected the Vietnamese stance in resolving disputes over the East Sea. It also called upon allies to weigh in on the matter."

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary of the Phillipines, Henry Bensurto, also approved of the speech, saying that Vietnam should continue making a strong case for any transgressions of international law.