(VOVworld) -  Within the framework of the 24^th ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Sunday officially voice his objection to China’s highly dangerous move, which is directly threatening peace, stability, and maritime security and navigation in the East Sea.

Prime Minister Dung stressed that from May 1^st, China brought its giant drilling rig together with more than 80 armed vessels and military ships and escort planes to Vietnam’s waters and placed the drilling rig within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf according to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Prime Minister Dung said: “Vietnam exercised self-restraint and got in contact with China through different channels to protest against and demand China immediately withdraw its drilling rig and armed vessels from Vietnam’s territorial waters. Defying Vietnam’s goodwill, China even accused Vietnam of carrying out vessel collisions and continued with more serious and dangerous violations. Vietnam attaches great importance to and does its utmost to maintain and strengthen the time-honored relationship with China. Vietnam wants to work closely together with China to settle disputes peacefully based on international law, equality and mutual respect, in the interest of the two peoples, and for peace and stability in the region and the world at large. However, Vietnam vehemently opposes violations and is determined to protect national sovereignty and legitimate interests in accordance with international law.”

Prime Minister Dung called upon ASEAN countries, other global countries, individuals and international organizations to continue expressing opposition to China’s serious violations, and support Vietnam’s legitimate request. He asked ASEAN to strengthen solidarity and reiterate its Six-Point Principles on the East Sea, while urging China to fully and strictly observe international law, the 1982 UNCLOS and DOC, and holding substantive consultations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.