Vietnam calls for restraint in South China Sea after months of tensions with Beijing
- President Nguyen Phu Trong says country should ‘never compromise’ on sovereignty as Chinese ship continues energy survey in disputed waters
- Vietnam recently banned DreamWorks film Abominable for showing map that endorses China’s claim in the disputed waters
Vietnamese President and Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong has called for restraint in the disputed South China Sea amid a tense months-long stand-off involving Chinese ships, state media reported on Tuesday.
Mainland China claims almost all the energy-rich waters but neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.
Tension escalated when Beijing dispatched a research ship to conduct an energy survey in waters controlled by Vietnam in July.
Trong said that Vietnam had good relations with China but should “never compromise” on its sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to state-run Voice of Vietnam.
“On the subject of foreign policy, including the East Sea issue [as the South China Sea is known in Vietnam}, the General Secretary stressed the importance of maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, and resolutely fighting to protect Vietnam’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the report continued.
Speaking in Hanoi before a National Assembly meeting, which was due to start on Monday, Trong added: “We will resolutely and persistently maintain independence while fighting for the protection of our sovereignty, but we must maintain a peaceful environment for development.”
