Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on issues related to the South China Sea.
Chinh is in China to attend the World Economic Forum conference known as the ”Summer Davos”.
The two countries say the leaders’ talks included the creation of a Code of Conduct that China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations have been discussing for years. It is intended to prevent conflict and accidental clashes in the South China Sea where tensions are rising.
Li stressed that China wants to accelerate talks on it. Chinh said in response that Vietnam will make efforts to establish the Code of Conduct. He also pointed out the importance of complying with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Vietnam and China have conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea.
However, Chinh expressed Vietnam’s consistent support for the One-China policy and for Beijing to play an important and active regional and global role.
US and Japanese vessels have recently visited Vietnam out of concern over China’s increasingly assertive maritime activity in the South China Sea.
Despite sovereignty disputes, Vietnam is keen to maintain ties with China, which is also a major trade partner.
Source : NHK
