The National Assembly affirms to protect the country’s sovereignty while preserving the traditional friendship between the people of Vietnam and China

VNP | 3/7/2014

After more than one month, the 7th session of the 13th National Assembly wrapped up on June 24 with 11 laws and two resolutions adopted and 16 draft laws and one resolution debated. China’s illegal placement of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou – 981 deep into Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone was also a focus at this session.
Addressing the session, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung emphasises  the National Assembly’s determination to protest China’s illegal acts and demand China to remove immediately its rig out of Vietnamese waters. Photo: Nhan Sang - VNA

Addressing the session, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung emphasises
the National Assembly’s determination to protest China’s illegal acts and demand
China to remove immediately its rig out of Vietnamese waters. Photo: Nhan Sang – VNA

Addressing the closing ceremony, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said the session took place at a time when a regional and international situation was undergoing dangerous, unpredictable and complicated developments, with China illegally placing its oil rig deep inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. National independence and sovereignty as well as peace, stability, maritime security and safety and freedom of navigation in the East Sea are being seriously threatened, he said.

The National Assembly leader affirmed that China’s move gravely violated Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, infringing international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). It also went against high-level agreements reached between Vietnam and China on the basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues and deeply hurt the friendship, solidarity and neighbourliness between the two people, he said. 

At this session, the delegates raised their voices to protest China’s illegal actions. The National Assembly also issued a statement clarifying its stance on the issue, protesting China’s illegal acts and demanding it immediately remove its rig out of Vietnam’s waters and not to repeat actions violating Vietnamese sovereignty. The National Assembly highly appreciated speeches which show the patriotism and determination to protect the national sovereignty of the delegates. The National Assembly called up all social classes and strata, nationalities, religions, and overseas Vietnamese people to vow to bring into full play the patriotic tradition, unite to act and support the policy of the Party and State and be determined to protect the nation’s territory in line with international law, maintaining a peaceful and sustainable environment for national development while preserving the traditional friendship between the people of Vietnam and China.

The National Assembly adopts the Law on amendments and supplements to the Law on Vietnamese Nationality. Photo: Lam Khanh – VNA

The National Assembly adopts the Law on amendments and supplements
to the Law on Vietnamese Nationality. Photo: Lam Khanh – VNA

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc answers questions from deputies. Photo: An Dang – VNA

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc answers questions from deputies. Photo: An Dang – VNA

Deputy Vu Tien Loc gives opinions on the Law on Investment (revised). Photo: Lam Khanh – VNA

Deputy Vu Tien Loc gives opinions on the Law on Investment (revised). Photo: Lam Khanh – VNA

Deputies push the buttons to approve some Laws and Resolutions at the 7th session  of the 13th National Assembly. Photo: Lam Khanh - VNA

Deputies push the buttons to approve some Laws and Resolutions at the 7th session
of the 13th National Assembly. Photo: Lam Khanh – VNA

At this session, the National Assembly decided to give 16,000 billion dong to fishermen to build boats, and for other equipment and shipbuilding for Vietnamese coast guard and fisheries surveillance forces.

Apart from the East Sea issues, the Nation Assembly adopted 11 laws and two resolutions and debated 16 draft laws and one resolution. Notably, the Law on amendments and supplements to the Law on Vietnamese Nationality was approved.

During the session, deputies discussed a resolution on confidence voting and agreed on the need to mull it over before adopting it. Meanwhile, votes of confidence will continue to be conducted on people holding positions elected or approved by the National Assembly and the People’s Councils.