Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has confirmed with
international press that Vietnam is considering self-defence options, including
legal actions, in accordance with international law, to protect national
sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Vietnam will resolutely defend its sovereignty and
legitimate interests because territorial sovereignty, including sovereign of
marine areas and islands, is sacred, the PM said in a written response to
questions from the Associated Press and Reuters, protesting against China’s
illegal placement of its oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and
continental shelf.
He noted that Vietnam cherishes peace and friendship on the
basis of ensuring independence, self-reliance, sovereignty, and territorial
integrity, including its marine areas, and it will not accept any exchange of
this sacredness for quixotic peace and friendship.
He said Vietnam has endured untold suffering and losses from
past invasive wars, and it therefore aspires to peace and friendship to build
and develop the nation.
“We
are never the first to use military means and would never unilaterally start a
military confrontation unless we are forced to take self-defence actions."
He reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of using peaceful
means to settle the East Sea tension, taking into account every chance and
dialogue channels. He said Vietnam does not join any military alliance to
resist against another country.
Defying Vietnam’s goodwill and restraint, China is
intensifying its strength, intimidating and passing the buck on Vietnam.
What China is doing is completely different from it says,
the PM said, adding recent Chinese actions in Vietnam’s territorial waters are
critically dangerous, seriously threatening peace, stability, security, safety
and freedom of navigation, as well as cooperation and development in the region
and the world at large.
Vietnam has reported the East Sea tension to international
organisations, governments, political circles, scholars, and international
media. UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon, leaders of many countries and
organisations, and individuals, voiced their deep concern about China’s move as
a serious threat to peace, security, and stability in the region.
He expressed his belief the international community,
countries, organisations and individuals will continue to make accurate
assessment and raise their voice to strongly protest against China’s violation
of international law and prevent a serious threat to peace and stability in the
East Sea.
Dung said Vietnam is aware that the relations of friendship
and mutually beneficial and equitable cooperation between Vietnam and China not
only bring basic and long-term interests for both countries, but also
contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and
the world.
Vietnam attaches great importance to and does its utmost to
maintain and strengthen the fine friendship and cooperation with China. It
sincerely wants to work closely with China to settle disputes through peaceful
means in line with international law and on the basis of mutual respect.
PM Nguyen Tan Dung is in Manila for an official visit to the
Philippines and a World Economic Forum on East Asia. He is scheduled to deliver
a speech at the opening session of the forum on May 22.
Source: DTinews
